Ulrich Hubert Koch

KOCH,

                Ulrich Hubert Koch was born December 27, 1931 and died January 2, 2016, just days after his 84^th birthday. He died peacefully at home with his children around him. Ulrich was the son of German immigrants Richard and Marie (Goeckeler) Koch and younger brother to Rose Marie Koch Anderson. He grew up in Dearborn, Michigan and attended Michigan University for a year then graduated from Webb Institute of Naval Architecture in New York where he earned his Engineering degree. After graduation, he enlisted in the Navy and served as an Officer for four years under Admiral Rickover working on the first nuclear submarine, the Nautilus. During that time he met and fell in love with Opal Clemens, who became his wife on June 27, 1959. They celebrated 51 years of marriage months before she died. Ulrich served in the Navy Reserves for 25 years eventually retiring with the rank of Commander. His civilian career was spent working for Swagelok for 40 years. The first part of his career was designing values, for which he has over 40 US and international patents. Later, he was the Oxygen Safety Expert where he wrote numerous technical articles and was published many times in ASTM magazines. He loved to travel the US and Europe, especially Stuttgart, Germany to visit relatives and the restaurant his father and grandmother had owned.  After retiring, he visited Iceland, Tunisia, and Turkey, along with many parts of America. He was active in Rotary and at church, both Lord of Life Lutheran and Valley Lutheran Churches, along with promoting Webb Institute at College Fairs for many years. He enjoyed classical music and listening to Saturday at the Opera and loved attending the Cleveland Orchestra. He was a season ticket holder for decades. Ulrich and Opal had three children, Karen, David and Lisa, along with four grandchildren Zoe and Spencer Koch, and Rupert and Oliver Renkiewicz. He was proceeded in death by his parents, wife, cousins Eric Rothmaler and Herbie Goeckeler. He is survived by his children and grandchildren, sister Rosie and her husband Art Anderson, nephew Eric Breckoff, and cousin Gus Rothmaler, his wife Eunice and their children Gus Jr., Stephen, Cathy, Astrid and Andrew, along with nieces Krista and Karlyn Rothmaler and many family members in Germany. In lieu of flowers, Ulrich’s wish is to have donations made to Webb Institute. Viewing will be at Stroud Lawrence 95 S. Franklin St. Chagrin Falls Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, and the funeral will be at Valley Lutheran Church 87 E. Orange St. on Saturday at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at Aurora Cemetery with a luncheon afterwards. www.stroudlawrence.com

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