W. Richard Koch

W. Richard Koch, a 95-year-old resident of Bosworth, died at his home on Thursday, May 9, 2019. He was the father of Trenton resident Karalyn Thompson.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 13, 2019 at the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Brunswick. Pastor Drewitz officiated. Burial was in McCullough Cemetery in Triplett, with full military honors conducted by Brunswick American Legion Post #7.
Mr. Koch was born on June 12, 1923 southwest of Triplett, the son of Robert C. and Edith Small Koch. After graduating from Triplett High School in 1941, he worked as a welder in Kraiser Shipyards in Richmond, CA. He entered the service on February 25, 1943 and was sent to the 44th Division where he volunteered for Army Air Corps Cadets. When that program was disbanded, he was sent to the 86th Division 341st Infantry Company D and engaged in combat in Germany and Austria. He earned the rank of staff sergeant and was leader of a squad of 81mm mortars. Following the European campaign, he was sent to the Philippine Islands to prepare for the invasion of Japan. He earned the Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon, and the Victory Ribbon. He was honorably served his country until Feb. 21, 1946.
Mr. Koch was married on Jan. 31, 1945 in San Luis Obispo, CA to Pauline Grace of DeWitt. They moved to a farm east of Bosworth in 1947.
He enjoyed attending the ballgames of his grandchildren and great-grandchilren, farming, Army reunions and playing cards with his friends.
He was a member of the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Brunswick, serving in most of the church offices. He also served on the Bosworth School Board for 15 years and the Carroll County Soil and Water Board for eight years. He was a 4-H leader for several years, a member of the Farm Bureau and a member of the Brunswick American Legion Post #7.
Mr. Koch is survived by his wife of the home, Pauline; two sons, Ron (Toni) Koch and Doug (Terri) Koch of Bosworth; one daughter, Karalyn (Dick) Thompson of Trenton; six grandchildren, Kerri (Tom) Zeilstra of Brunswick, Kyle (Meghan) Koch of Overland Park, KS, Bradley Thompson of Springfield, Brian Thompson of West Yellowstone, MT, Laura (Brandon) Greer of Tina and Stephen (Katie) Koch of Bosworth; seven great-grandchildren, Kendra and Troy Zeilstra, Jordyn and Eli Koch, Hudson Thompson, and Tate and Brynn Greer. He is also survived by two sisters, Ruth Duffield of Mendon and Doris Robbins of Buckner.
He was preceded in death by his parents, twin sisters in infancy, three brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law.
The family requests memorial donations to the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Brunswick. Donations may be left at or mailed to Breshears Memorial Chapel, 207 W. Broadway, Brunswick, MO, 65236.