May 3, 1940 - August 23, 2019
New York City
One time I was on a ski trip to Aspen with a bunch of buddies from Koch Industries. As the lifts were closing, one of the guys spotted David and asked him if he would like to ski with us the following day. He agreed and after lunch we all met at at the top of Aspen Mountain. After making a few runs, David yelled "lets race" and he took off... David was a gifted athlete and a very fast skier. About 3/4's of the way down the mountain I was right behind him, and he was leading all of us. Suddenly he hooked an edge and fell hard right on his face. From behind the crash looked horrible. I stopped and asked if he was okay. David immediately got up, threw his broken custom-made prescription goggles into the woods and took off. I tried my best but he won by about 50 yards. Always the competitor, David was an inspiration to everyone he met.
Posted by: David Nicastro
Sep 01, 2019
I enjoyed meeting David Koch in 2013. David was was so engaging and interesting. If all successful men in our country felt the responsibility to their country that David felt, the benefits to all would be immeasurable. By example, David lived the American Dream of opportunity and limitless horizons. During his lifetime he (and his brother Charles should also be credited) greatly contributed to medical and scientific research, the cultural arts, and political action that ensures the continuation of the great freedoms and opportunities only this country offers. He was a great man.
Posted by: Paige Freeman - Wilmington, NC
Aug 28, 2019
I was 16 and David 18; he was Captain of Deerfield track team and I was team's javelin thrower. I was practicing the high jump off in a distant corner of the Academy's vast sports' fields; when across the fields strode Captain Koch towards me. I was 5 foot 7 and had no business practicing the high jump but I loved trying to jump my height (never accomplished). I was sure Captain Koch would soon be telling me to stop and go work on whatever would make me a better javelin thrower; but when Dave arrived, to my utter surprise he began immediately to help with the high jump! I quickly admitted I only enjoyed it and I'd go work on javelin throwing. David told me to stay with the high jump practice....and he listed reasons my instincts made sense. "1. you're spring off your legs and newest javelin methods have throwers diving forward and even landing on their hands. 2. TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS...you're using your legs to spring over the bar and throwing the javelin far as you seek to do, requires leg thrust ". I don't recall more than that but all my life I've remembered that Dave encouraged me and saw value in what I thought was fooling around....i.e. he sort of taught me to trust my instincts! I set some javelin records that I'm told still stand....and I'll always remember that moment when Dave Koch taught me to believe in myself!!! Two years later I was a captain of track.
Posted by: Tom Benenson - Conway, SC
Aug 27, 2019
On behalf of my family and myself I want to express my thanks to David for his generous donations to research into prostate cancer , Without his help I might not be alive today.The number of people he helped with his generosity probably numbers in the millions, an astonishing figure when you think of it. I also enjoyed our time as Coconuts together.
Posted by: Harold Paull - Palm Beach, FL - friend
Aug 27, 2019
My condolences to the family of David Koch. It's hard to rejoice when a loved passes on. But please find comfort to know that his leadership and example has inspired me and thousands of others to keep fighting for those things you know in your heart is right to do; even until you can do no more. If we all do that, the spirit of liberty, joy, and fulfillment can live through you and each one one of us eternally.
Posted by: Eric Johnson - Woodstock, GA
Aug 26, 2019
The following is condensed from my Letter To The Editor, published in The Orlando Sentinel on August 25...
All I can tell you is what I experienced with the late David Koch several years ago during a fundraiser for The Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach. I introduced myself to David and the lights went out! Here was an
individual with no visible security detail, remaining a calm presence, completely unflustered, with little me in
a Ralph Lauren retail store in complete darkness. Moments later, the lights came on and David Koch spent several minutes listening to what I had to say. I was the most important person to him at that moment. He
handed me his business card and told me very sincerely, "I'll read whatever you send me." As he headed out the door, I couldn't help but notice his personal e-mail on the card along with his address. His job title: Vice President. And no, I'm not kidding. Will Graves P.S. God Bless You, David!
Posted by: Will Graves - Winter Park, FL - acquaintance
Aug 26, 2019
Our condolences to the Koch family in this difficult time. We are very grateful for all those years of fireworks that made our New Years party such a success. From now on we see fireworks, we will say a prayer for David.
The Gentlemen of the Coconuts
Posted by: Alexander Fanjul - Palm Beach, FL - friend
Aug 26, 2019
A brilliant and kind man. Passionate about engineering and a visionary. 20 years ago he interviewed me and not only gave me an opportunity to work for one of his companies but also changed my life when he helped me to come to the United States. Forever I am grateful.
My deepest condolences to his family
Posted by: Humberto Barreda - Tulsa, OK
Aug 25, 2019
Having recently completed a course of Intensity Modified Radiation Therapy at the David H. Koch Center of New York Presbyterian Hospital, I am grateful for his magnificent leading gift for this facility and for the many generous gifts he made to so many important NY institutions. I know he contended with prostate cancer for many, many years -- which is an inspiration to me personally. My sympathies to his family at the loss of this vital man who made New York his home for so many years and enriched us all. J.R. Gettinger
Posted by: Jason Gettinger - New York, NY
Aug 24, 2019
Im so sad ... David was such a wonderful man
...
I was his designer for his home in aspen ...
when I was a young girl....he helped my career flourish there with his great kindness...
I havent seen him in years but I have never forgotten what he did for me ...
Brilliant man and fun to talk to......
...God speed David .... you will never be forgotten ....with all the good you have left us here in earth ....
My deepest condolences to his family
Zoe Murphy Compton
C
Posted by: Zoe Murphy Compton - GONZALES, TX - friend
Aug 23, 2019
