Kevin Erskine Koch

Kevin Erskine Koch, 61, Oro Valley, AZ, passed away after a long battle with cancer, on Oct. 2 in Oro Valley surrounded by his family.

He was born to Berl and Tina Koch on May 6, 1955, in Woodland, CA, and moved with his family to Manhattan, KS, in January 1956. He attended elementary and secondary schools in Manhattan, Nigeria, Switzerland and Spain, graduating from Manhattan High School in 1973.

Kevin graduated cum laude from Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science in 1977. While at KSU, he was in K-State Singers, a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and frequented the agriculture side of the school as his father was a professor in animal science.

Kevin attended the University of Kansas School of Law, graduating with a juris doctor degree in 1980 and passing the Kansas bar later that year. In 1991 he continued his thirst for knowledge by attending and completing classes on law at Oxford University in England.

On Jan. 2, 1982, Kevin married Beth Morton in Prairie Village, KS. They lived in Lenexa, KS, while he practiced law in Kansas City, KS. He was trusted with a multitude of cases covering many fronts, even submitting a precedence that was heard before the United States Supreme Court.

Kevin and Beth have two sons: Kyle, born February 7, 1988, and Kelly, born July 11, 1990. Kevin loved to spend time with his sons and wife. In 1996, the family moved to Oro Valley where Kevin focused on his sons, substitute teaching at their elementary school, Copper Creek, and volunteering at Interfaith Community Services. Kevin loved to teach and volunteer at Copper Creek. He decided that he preferred being the best father and husband this side of the Mississippi, giving up practicing law to become a more integral part of the family. He coached each son's baseball team and became the commissioner of their Little League.

Traveling was always a large part of the family's life. With most of their extended families still living around the Midwest, the highlight of the year was always the trip to Kansas to be with them. Other road trip favorites included San Francisco, San Diego, Monterey, Sedona, and Santa Fe. In addition to what could be reached by their 1994 Ford Econoline Van, Kevin loved exploring Europe. Planning the trip was his favorite part. Sometimes the plans were just Kevin joining Beth on a business trip, other times the plans included the whole family. When Beth was transferred to Massachusetts for work, he loved being with her in Waltham and spending time exploring Boston. No matter the companions, Kevin couldn't have been happier to explore the world with the ones he loved most.

Kevin always did everything well, both professionally and personally, yet never sought the attention or accolades of others. He took everything seriously, yet had a brilliant sense of humor with the uncanny ability to deliver the unexpected observation/insight that would bring the house down. His timing was perfect, until now. He left us far too soon and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Kevin was preceded in death by his parents, Berl and Tina Koch. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Beth; son Kyle and his wife Rachel; and son Kelly, all of Tucson; his brother and his wife, Kim and Becky Koch, Fargo, ND, and his sister and her husband, Kerri Mathis Marvel and Jerry Marvel, Richland, WA.

Memorial service will be on Oct. 22 at 1:00 pm at the Oro Valley United Church of Christ at 1401 East El Conquistador Way, Oro Valley, AZ 85704. An open house/gathering for family and friends will be 1-4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 12, at the Bedford Hampton Clubhouse, 12101 Grant Street, Overland Park, KS.