Harry Charles Koch, 65, born June 13, 1956 in Dover, NJ passed on October 21, 2021 in Douglassville, PA. He was preceded in death by his parents Jeanette Lou (Reidinger) Koch, Harry Lenhart Koch, and sons; Clifford Lewis Koch aged 26, Kristopher Alan Koch aged 6, and Brian Thomas Koch aged 4. He is survived by his siblings Beverly Jean (Koch) Niehls, wife of Mark, Rosalie Lou (Koch) Lefurge, wife of Scott, and Kevin Christopher Koch, husband of Linda (Rhineschmidt). He is also survived by 8 nieces and nephews and 9 great nieces and nephews. Born and raised in Stanhope, NJ, he lived there almost 60 years of his life. He came to live with Bev and Mark in Pennsylvania the last six years of his life.
When Harry was a young man his first job was a newspaper route in and around Stanhope, NJ where he grew up. Next, he worked at Dover Handbag next to his home. Later, he worked as a master glass blower and machine operator for Thatcher Glass Manufacturing Company in Wharton, NJ. His last years of employment were with Compac Corporation, first in Stanhope, and later in Hackettstown, NJ where he was a certified forklift operator and machine operator until the plant closed in 2009.
Harry enjoyed coin collecting with his grandfather Charles Nelson Reidinger as a child and inherited the collection when his grandfather passed. Trapping with his grandfather also became an early hobby and job for Harry who sold muskrat pelts. Early on in his life Harry developed a love of fishing which continued throughout his life. Many, many deep sea and fresh water fishing excursions were taken with good friend Greg Cole and others. He graduated from Netcong High School in 1974. Enjoying working with his hands, he particularly enjoyed shop and brought home bowls and trays his mother used around the house.
A lifelong fan of NASCAR, the New York Yankees and Jets, and Notre Dame, he enjoyed watching racing, baseball, and football either by himself or with friends such as Earl Blank and others. Attending Yankees games in person was a real treat for him and he enjoyed attending NASCAR races with his brother Kevin. Harry really enjoyed spending time with buddies at the firehouse. Many Memorial Day Parades found Harry marching with the firemen. He enjoyed watching The Big Bang Theory, westerns, and gameshows; especially Jeopardy with Bev. He also enjoyed Law and Order marathons and docudramas with Mark.
Harry was a supporter of his nephews’ musical endeavors. He attended many instrumental music concerts at Lenape Valley High School, Kutztown University, and enjoyed seeing the marching band perform at Lenape Valley football games.
Harry had a heart for those who were hurting and those who needed help or a friend. He volunteered for God’s Soup Kitchen on Monday evenings. He gave many rides to Davids Slaidins, Bob Henderson, Big Joe, many others, and helped Rich Beardsley with small projects at his home. He supported Hope For Haiti’s Children and Project Purpose. Enjoying the neighborhood kids, Harry enjoyed giving out freeze pops, fruit gummies, and money for lost teeth.
He volunteered in the kitchen at Camp Manatawny for Family Camp, Senior High 1 Week, and Coventry Christian School Secondary Retreats. Among the most faithful attendees of Bible classes, worship services, and Men’s Breakfasts of the Chesmont Church of Christ, he had many friends. He faithfully watched the church’s services on Zoom and Facebook throughout the pandemic. Harry is missed by family, friends, and neighbors.
Celebration of Life
Saturday, 13 November 2021
10:30 am
The Chapel
Chesmont Church of Christ
699 North Pleasantview Road
Pottstown, PA 19464
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Inurnment
Monday 15 November 2021
11:00 am
Stanhope Union Cemetery
Waterloo Road
Stanhope, NJ 07874