Richard Frank Koch

September 3, 1937 - January 12, 2023

Richard Frank Koch (Dick), age 85, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2023. Dick was born on September 3, 1937 in Cheyenne, Wyoming to Ruth and Hollie Koch. His family moved from Wyoming to Redwood City, California when he was 10 years old. He graduated from Sequoia High School and San Jose State University with his BA, along with a teaching credential. Later he taught Real Estate classes at the College of San Mateo. He was also a Marine Corps Reservist, where he advanced to Corporal. At the same time, he began his real estate career as an appraiser for Coldwell Banker in San Francisco. While living, working, and playing in the city, he met and married the love of his life, Nancy Bogue, his wife of 55 years. After three years in the city Dick and Nancy moved to the peninsula where they raised their three children, Brad, Brian, and Katie.

Dick worked hard in the commercial and industrial real estate development business for over 50 years and started Koch Investment Co. which later became BB&K Capital Corp. One of Dick’s first real estate ventures, along with his partners, was the development of the first indoor self-storage facility of its kind west of the Mississippi. He was known as an ethical, honest and respected businessman. He was a tall, handsome, fun-loving pal to many, always joking, sometimes inappropriately, but always making people laugh. He had a big heart and a lifelong motto “to be kind to everyone” which resonates today with his friends and family.

Dick had a passion for sports of all kinds. He was an exceptional left-handed tennis player with a mean serve and played competitively at the California Tennis Club. He loved snow skiing and water skiing, especially at Lake Tahoe, baseball, basketball, bridge with friends, and eventually golf, with an unforgettable left hand swing. In addition, he and his partners won numerous domino championships. He gave countless time and effort towards many social and golf clubs in the bay area and beyond, and his dedicated contributions live on to this day.

He and Nancy loved to travel and went on several People-to-People Ambassador Tennis trips around the world in the 1980s. They loved going on adventures and vacations with their family. However, for the last 55 years his most treasured place to spend time with Nancy, their children and all 9 grandchildren was his beloved “Pa’s Place” in Mendocino County. It is more than just a cabin in the woods. It is a special place he built where family and friends love experiencing the true magic of nature.

Dick is survived by his wife, Nancy; his three children, Brad Koch (Amy), Brian Koch (Gretchen), and Katie Schmidt (Alexis), and by nine grandchildren: Courtney, Charlie and Abby Koch, Melanie, Henry and Caroline Koch, and Kayla, Malia and Clausen Schmidt; his sister Nancy Farrell and his brother Dave (Sheila) Koch.

A celebration of life will be held in the near future. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Northern California through their website: alz. org/donate or by sending a check in Dick’s memory to Alzheimer’s Association of Northern California, 2290 North 4th St., Ste. 101, San Jose, CA 95131, or to a charity of your choice.