Allan Koch

Allan Craig Koch, age 82, passed away peacefully in his Allendale home on March 24, 2025. Allan was the son of Paul and Velma Koch, and was born August 24, 1942, in Decatur, Illinois where he grew up with his beloved brother, Eric. Together they participated in the Boy Scouts of America, where Allan became an Eagle Scout. Allan continued a lifelong involvement in scouting, eventually sharing this love with his two sons. 

Allan also had a passion for music and loved celebrating it with his Lord. He began singing in his church choir as a teenager and continued his passion until most recently with Georgetown United Methodist Church. He enjoyed all types of music but was especially fond of the classic composers which he played on the piano and organ.

After high school, Allan attended the University of Illinois where he met the love of his life, Christine. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 1964, he was employed by Uniroyal in Detroit, followed by Ford Motor Company as a System Design Analyst. He and Chris married in 1965 and raised their two sons in Clinton Township where Allan became a scout leader, an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Mount Clemens, an AYSO soccer referee, and an Amateur Radio enthusiast.

Allan shared his time with his older son David, traveling the trail of his ancestry in Germany and hiking trails of the Appalachian Mountains together. With his younger son Brian, Allan shared his love of Ham radio, attending many conferences together over the years. In 2007, he and Chris moved to Allendale, in order to be an integral part of their grandchildren’s lives.

Allan was an avid reader, animal lover, and amateur historian. He loved to share his passion and knowledge of these things with anyone that was up for a good conversation. Allan was also effortlessly generous, both with his time and through decades of donations to various political, historical, animal and humanitarian organizations. 

Allan had a deep warmth and love for his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Velma (Chupp) Koch; brother, Eric Koch; and brother-in-law, John Jacobs. 

Allan was survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Christine (Grams) Koch; sons, David (Laura Guczwa) Koch; Brian (Angela Weber) Koch; grandchildren, Luna, Carter, and Reznor Koch and Noah, Tanner, and Meghan Guczwa; sisters-in-law, Jane Koch and Linda Jacobs; nieces, Julie (Jennifer) Purdy, Jennifer (Scott) Fisher, and Christine (Neil Sroka) Jacobs; great nephew, Ryder Garcia-Purdy; and great nieces, Emily Fisher and Frances Sroka.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Allan will be held on Monday, April 28 at Georgetown United Methodist Church, 2766 Baldwin St., Jenison, Michigan. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am, with a service at 11:00 am. A luncheon provided by the church will immediately follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Georgetown United Methodist Church or Harbor Humane Society of West Olive, Michigan.