Daniel Henry Koch Sept. 28, 1919 – Feb. 1, 2007 Dan was born in Portland, Oregon where he attended grade school and high school. He spent most of his life in Lakewood, WA. He received his B. A. cum laude in Math-Physics from Lewis & Clark College in Portland in 1941. Dan was president of his Senior Class and Sigma Alpha Sigma fraternity and captain of the baseball team. Graduate work was at the University of Oregon followed by a year of athletic coaching at Springfield High School, then a return to the University for two years as an instructor in the Physics Department. Dan joined Weyerhaeuser Timber Company in the Applied Physics Department of the Research Center in Longview, Washington in 1945. From 1954 to 1957 he was with Weyerhaeuser Sales Company in St. Paul, Minnesota as a Sales Engineer, working with products he helped develop in research. The transfer in Dan's department to Tacoma, Washington in 1957 was followed by serving in six managerial positions with Weyerhaeuser Company. Following early retirement after 30 years, Dan was Associate Regional Director in Seattle and Tacoma-Pierce County Director for the National Conference of Christians and Jews for two years. In 1978 he joined Humphrey Lumber Company in Lakewood and served as Administrative Manager for 13 years. Dan served his community in a number of ways as President of both Longview Jaycees and Lakewood Kiwanis; board member of Greater Lakes Mental Health Center, Longview Red Cross and Longview Chamber of Commerce; advisor for a St. Paul Junior Achievement Club; and a Tacoma United Way campaigner. One notable achievement was being named Washington State's outstanding local president, while serving with the Longview Jaycees. Dan also served in various capacities in fostering the ecumenicity of Christian denominations and world religions. He was Washington State Chairman and Puget Sound Chairman of Camps Farthest Out, a non-denominational organization which conducts week-long and weekend family retreats. Dan served on the board and was the national Director of Study Groups for the Fellowship for Spiritual Understanding which promotes understanding and harmony among world religions. A study group met monthly in his home for ten years. Dan was also on the national board for six years and was the Washington chairman of annual retreats for twelve years for Partners in Prayer, another non-denominational organization. He was on the board of Pierce County Young Life, one of the founding members of Lakewood Tree of Life Unity Church, supporter of the Associated Ministries of Tacoma-Pierce County and board member for Radio for Peace International headquartered in Costa Rica on the United Nations sponsored University for Peace campus. Dan married Barbara M. Brandon in July, 1942 in Portland. He is survived by Barbara and their two children, Daniel B. and Kathleen, both of Tacoma, as well as granddaughters Laelle, Lisha and Heather. Dan will be joining his parents, Daniel and Rosa, and his brother Walt in spirit. Dan and Barbara traveled the world, making global connections everywhere they went. The family enjoyed many trips and share special memories of Hawaii. They water skied, snow skied and played tennis together with laughter, love and closeness. Dan was an amazing poet, intellectual, athlete, spiritual seeker, punster and provider. He was a sweet, loving, fun and wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will live in our hearts forever. A celebration of Dan's life will be held at Mountain View Valley Chapel on Saturday, April 7, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home. 584-0252. Please sign online guest book at www.mountainviewtacoma.com .
Published in the News Tribune (Tacoma) on 2/4/2007.