Stevan (Steve) Jeffrey Koch, age 71, of Bear Lake Twp, MI passed away peacefully at home Saturday, February 11th, 2023.
Steve was born to William Edward Koch and Lila Mae Koch (Stark) in Saginaw, MI on September 14th, 1951. Steve was married on November 5th, 1971 to Shirley Koch (Gray). Steve attended General Motors Institute for Industrial engineering and then Harvard University where he earned his MBA in business administration. After graduation he worked for General Motors for 40 years, concluding his career as the Vice President of Operations for GM in Africa and the Middle East. Steve enjoyed traveling, meeting new people and experiencing other cultures. During his time at GM he and his wife traveled and lived in many countries, including Zaire (DRC), Brazil, Egypt, Dubai, and South Africa.
Steve had many hobbies which included playing cards and board games with his grandchildren, playing basketball, playing the trumpet and singing in the church choir, and water skiing. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. While living overseas, Steve was a member of the Rotary Club, sat on the school board of Escola Graduada de Sao Paolo, and supported orphanages in both Brazil and South Africa. He was very active at Mt. Hope Lutheran Church as a church elder, musician and choir member. He helped organize local outreach programs, including the food truck. He was instrumental in designing and constructing a larger daycare building for Crawford AuSable Day Care to better serve the needs of the Grayling community. As a colon cancer patient for 11 years he was active in research, participating in many drug trials at MD Anderson in Texas in hope of finding a cure.
Steve is survived by his wife of 51 years, Shirley Koch, daughters Kristie (Mike) Wilkens and Erin (Travis) Roop, grandchildren Thomas Wilkens, Jonathan Wilkens, Nicholas Wilkens, Cassidy Roop, Charlotte Roop, and Sophia Roop, sister Karen (Walter) Cox, Uncle Paul Koch, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Steve was preceded in death by his parents William Edward Koch, Lila Mae Stark, sister Jacquelin (Herlache), and niece Laura Herlache.
A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Condolences can be shared with Steve’s family at www.sorensonlockwood.com. In lieu of flowers, Steve’s wishes were for any memorial donations to be used to pay down the mortgage on the Crawford AuSable Day Care. You can do so using thisLINK, or checks may be made out to Mt. Hope Lutheran Church CADC mortgage principle. Please mail to the following address: Mt. Hope Lutheran Church 905 N I-75 Business Loop Grayling, MI 49738.
