Rudolf Koch

Even though Rudolph Koch had a quiet, mellow demeanor, he was a fighter challenging all his health conditions until the end of his life on September 19, 2024. Rudolph, “Rudy”, passed in his sleep at home in Escondido, CA at 77 years of age. He was attended to with care by his surviving wife, Jill Sparrow-Koch. Rudy was born in Lichtenborn, Germany; one of three brothers of Georg and Margarethe Koch. His sister died escaping with the family. Although immigrating to the U.S. at 3, he only became a naturalized citizen in 2013. He is survived by his brothers, Joe and John Koch. He is the uncle of Tiffany, Jesse and Mark Koch and Kevin, John, and Gladys Koch, and Emily Ascencio and Erin Trapp.

Rudy graduated from Cooley High in Chicago with a citation of excellence and recognized as the author of “How to Drill a Square Hole.” That was a reflection of his mind. He pursued an apprenticeship in mold making, tool and die with employment by Schultz Tool in Chicago. This became his life trade.

Rudy and his brother, Joe, headed to sunny California in the seventies. Rudy stayed West enjoying the “no snow” life. He eventually settled in San Diego working at Imed Corp. There Rudy built significant molds for their early products of infusion therapy. He then decided he needed a change from corporate life.

In 1987 Rudy started his own company in Escondido, Emerging Forms. EF specialized in steel molds supporting the medical industry and other molding customers in a time when manufacturing in the U. S. was being assaulted. Along with his products, he also taught and employed young machinists and introduced them into the industry. When he retired in 2008 after 21 years, Kevin Koch bought Emerging Forms and continued the business.

Rudy biked around Balboa Park, hiked and enjoyed the desert in his little cabin in Joshua Tree. He had a green thumb, becoming a gentleman farmer in Vista with a large garden and chickens and Hermes, the pointer. He decided to become a sailor and loved sailing in San Diego Bay. He dabbled in real estate and was lucky in the time he spent trading stocks. Being a big guy at 6’4” he could be a target for others looking for conflict. Rudy never did anything to provoke this behavior and always walked away from a fight. He was a peaceful person. Rudolph Koch enjoyed his final days watching the sunset from his Escondido home with his dogs, cat and wife.

There are no services planned at the time. In lieu of flowers, he requests support of the San Diego Humane Society, Escondido Branch - https://www.sdhumane.org/support-us/volunteer/escondido-campus.html

He also supports along with his wife, AGSEM, the Antique Gas and Engine Museum in Vista Ca. https://www.agsem.org/