Kenneth K. Koch, 88, from New Tripoli, died peacefully July 15, 2015, surrounded by those he loved, in Genesis Health Care's Lehigh Center, Macungie, where he had been receiving care after a fall.

Born June 19, 1927, in Lehighton, the eighth of nine children born to the late Reuben J. Koch Sr., and Florence M. (Kistler) Koch, he was the last surviving member of this large family.

He attended public schools in Lehighton, which during World War II, he left to join the armed forces.

A passion for all things mechanical, which started in his youth with automobiles, led him to join the U.S. Army Air Corps, gaining entry in the waning days of the war.

After training, he was sent cross country to California where he shipped out to the recently-liberated island of Okinawa.

While there, he served out his enlistment working in the motor pool and as a mechanic on planes, along with guarding prisoners.

His experiences on Okinawa provided fodder for a lifetime's worth of stories with which he regaled family and friends.

When he returned to the states, he met the love of his life, Alma C. Fister, of New Tripoli.

They were married June 18, 1949, by the Rev. Thomas Bachman in Slatington, attended by his sister Florence Koch Fister and Alma's brother George Fister, to whom Florence was married.

He and his wife celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary in June.

His working life began at Raycraft Textiles, Lehighton, where both he and Alma were employed.

He was then hired by the Trojan Powder Company, manufacturers of dynamite and chemicals, in Seiple's Station, South Whitehall Township.

He survived a major explosion while working there and by the time that he retired 36 years later, he had risen to the position of sub-foreman with what became known as IMC Chemicals.

He was a member of New Life Lutheran Church, New Tripoli, where he was actively involved.

For years, he volunteered his time with the social arm of the New Tripoli Volunteer Fire Company.

He was a member of Allen O. Delke Post 16 of the American Legion, Slatington.

He served for many years as a commissioner on the Lynn Township Sewer Authority.

In his spare time, he enjoyed making things in his home workshop.

An avid auction-goer, for a great many years was a Saturday night regular at Walter's Auction Gallery, Macungie.

He enjoyed trips to California and exploring San Francisco, and time spent in Beach Haven, N.J., on Long Beach Island.

He enjoyed garage sales, his grandchildren, a good football game, watching the Gaithers on television, and having a good laugh.

And, he never met a hot dog, french fry or bag of candy he didn't want to eat, even when he wasn't supposed to.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by children Bonnie L, wife of Richard Bleiler, of Lynnville, Kenneth E. and wife, Shirley, of Laurinburg, N.C., Glenn D. and his husband, Ray Tombaugh, of Concord, Calif., and Valerie A., wife of the late Victor Frye, of Macungie; grandchildren Seth Bleiler of Berkeley, Calif., Christian Bleiler and wife, Natasha, and Liz, wife of Zachary Paris, all of Lynnville, Joshua Koch of Richmond, Ky., Allison, wife of Brand Gamblin, of Odenton, Md., and Paxton Werley of Macungie; great-grandchildren Arwen Duncan, Michael, Tristan, Gretchen, and Ethan Koch, Lila Paris and Claire Bleiler; sisters-in-law Eleanor Snyder of New Tripoli, and Betty Fister of Topton; many nieces and nephews; and lifelong friend Elwood Blocker of Lehighton.

He was predeceased by siblings Robert, Paul, Edna, Ruth Heffelfinger, Reuben Jr, Florence Fister, Melba Nothstein and Lloyd.

His memorial service will be 11 a.m. July 31 at New Life Evangelical Lutheran Church, 6804 Weiss Road, New Tripoli, with the Rev. Scott W. Lingenfelter officiating.

There will be no visitation. Interment will be private.

Condolences may be offered to the family at kellerfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the church, P.O. Box 34, New Tripoli, PA 18066.

Arrangements made by Keller Funeral Homes Inc., New Tripoli.