Obituary of Robert Koch

Robert "Bob" Koch, 72, Dyersville, Iowa died Sunday, December 4, 2011, at Mercy Medical Center in Dubuque, Iowa after a long illness. Friends may call from 2 - 8 p.m. Thursday, December 8, 2011, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville where a parish scripture service will be held at 4 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 9, 2011, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica, Dyersville, Iowa with burial in St. Francis Cemetery. Rev. Dennis Quint will officiate. Donald Robert Koch was born March 15, 1939, in Petersburg, Iowa, the son of Lawrence and Julanda (Osterhaus) Koch. Bob was a graduate of St. Boniface High School in New Vienna. He married Kay Werner on September 6, 1961 at St. Paul Catholic Church, Worthington, Iowa. They later divorced in 1992. He was a long time member of the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier. Bob was a 30 year Veteran in the Army Reserve; initially he was in the 389th Engineering Battalion based in Dubuque. He taught classes for the army in his more senior years. He retired from the U.S. Postal system on May 31, 2011 after serving for over 30 years as a Rural Letter Carrier in the Dyersville area. Bob was known as an accomplished craftsman in the area with skills as a carpenter, electrician, and plumber. He was a partner with his brother Jerry in the K & K Insulation Company. He attended classes and was an early advocate in the area of ground water heat and solar energy. Bob was known as a quiet, deep thinking, very appreciative person who focused on the good in people. He enjoyed visiting with family and friends, especially his rural mail customers, reading, and cutting lawn on his acreage. Bob was a very treasured friend to many nieces, nephews, co-workers and people in the Dyersville area. Survivors include his children: Tim (Sara) of Cedar Rapids, IA and Troy of Atlanta, GA; 3 grandchildren: Brandon, Raymond and Alex Koch; Siblings: Janet (Walter) Westhoff of Manchester, IA, Jerry (Jeanine) of Dyersville, Ken (Diane) of Petersburg, Steve (Kathy) of Worthington, Carol (Jim) Cole of Hopkinton, IA; the mother of his children: Kay Werner Koch Loecke of Manchester; In-laws: Duane "Dewey" (Yvonne) Werner of Dyersville and Joan Peters of Delhi, aunts and uncles: Virgie Domeyer, Laverne (Kathleen) Osterhaus and Gladys Osterhaus and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.