Bernard Paul Koch

Bernard ("Butch") Paul Koch, 75, passed away on December 26, 2025.

Born in Coaldale, Pennsylvania, Butch was the firstborn and son of the late Bernice Noble and Robert Koch. As the beloved first grandchild of Louise and Bernard Noble, he had the honor of titling his maternal grandmother as "Gaga" (who in return referred to him as "Butchums"). Butch was raised in Tamaqua, though many of his childhood and adolescent years were scattered between the state's Coal Region and the Greater Philadelphia area as Butch's father often drifted between jobs. Uplifted by his mother — his hero — Butch spent much of his youth chasing trains, taking piano lessons, playing ice hockey, and masterminding mischief among his siblings and friends.

From a single-room schoolhouse in Schuylkill County to many secondary schools throughout Bucks and Montgomery Counties, Butch ultimately graduated high school in 1968 before enlisting in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He endured a grueling summer of basic training at the Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, where he wrote letters to his mother, Gaga, and friends to alleviate his homesickness (his mother wished he had called more). No longer a private, Butch was able to work his way up the ranks and qualified for a role in the National Security Agency working on self-described "secret squirrel sh*t." He was later honorably discharged to help his mother and family as his father's health began to fail.

Butch wore many hats after emerging from the service. As a young man molded by wartime and Beatlemania, he entered his hippie era cynical of the military-industrial complex and keen to pursue his own personal truth. He completed one semester of college and gained an appreciation for geodesic domes and pondering the vastness of the cosmos. However, life outside the classroom was Butch's teacher. From his time as a dispatcher for a concrete company (which he was suspicious was a front for the Italian mob) to his years as a zamboni driver, Butch learned how to fulfill his responsibilities with hard work and integrity. His career ultimately centered on his lifelong love of trains with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), where he ended his over 30-year tenure as the Director of Transportation — since his retirement in 2014, the trains could never be as punctual. Outside of work, he never abandoned his passions for music and fine art, often playing songs, writing poems, and making drawings for his loved ones.

Perhaps his life's greatest accomplishment was continuing his mother's legacy of generosity, selflessness, and unconditional love, especially when it came to his family and friends. Butch was a loyal and trustworthy friend to those in his close circle, spanning from his childhood "Roslyn gang" to his later retirement buddies. To even neighbors and passersby, he never hesitated to offer a smile and kind word. Butch was not only a devoted son but also a loving brother to his four younger siblings: Barry Koch (Lorraine), Melodie Kimble, Cheryl Milnazik (Jeff), and Tracee Ferraro (Bob). As an uncle he also cared deeply for his nieces: Sunshine Silenzi (Steven), Krissy Milnazik, Alyssa Wichmann (Alex); nephews: David Kimble (Amy), Eric Kimble, Jason Koch (Lauren), Derek Koch (Elizabeth), Jeffrey Milnazik, Joe Ferraro (Courtney), Jacob Milnazik; and many great nieces and nephews. His love even extended to the many four-legged creatures with whom he shared his life, including his beloved dogs Lexie, Hailey, and Sadie. 

Above all, Butch was an amazing father to his two children — his son, Jesse Koch-Laskowski, and his daughter, Kieran Koch-Laskowski — who were born not of his blood but rather his boundless heart. Butch found true joy in nurturing his children, even at great personal sacrifice, and he took tremendous pride in helping them pursue their dreams. Upon them he imparted his passion, his empathy, his wit, his stubbornness, his humor, and his thoughtfulness — for better or for worse, he also imparted his devotion to Philadelphia sports, especially the Flyers, who have not raised the Stanley Cup since 1975. Always happy to share his wisdom (whether you wanted to hear it or not) and ever-willing to lend his support at a moment's notice, Butch paved the way for his children to become the best versions of themselves and welcomed his eventual son-in-law, Adam Berkowitz, with open arms along the way. 

Butch joins his Gaga, his mother Bernice (to many known as "Nana"), his brother Barry, and his sister Melodie as the next Guardian Angel to watch over his family. He will be sorely missed and never forgotten. 

Family and friends are invited to attend Butch's Celebration of Life on Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 11:00am at the North Penn VFW Post 676, 2519 Jenkintown Road, Glenside, PA 19038.