jj-2023

On Air

JJ Hayes

Mon - Fri 5:00 AM to 10 AM

David Koch dies at 79

David Koch dies at 79

David Koch dies at 79

By KFDI News and the Associated Press:

Billionaire David Koch has passed away. A family spokesperson has confirmed his death. Koch stepped down from running his business in June 2018 due to health problems.  He had been battling prostate cancer but a cause of death was not released.   He was the co-owner of Koch Industries with his older brother, Charles Koch. David Koch was 79 years old.

Charles Koch and David Koch together were major donors to conservative causes and educational groups.

The brothers founded the anti-tax, small government group Americans for Prosperity.

David Koch was an engineer trained at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He joined Wichita, Kansas-based Koch Industries in 1970 and served on its board. He was chief executive officer of Koch Chemical Technology Group, a Koch subsidiary.

Charles and David Koch each had an estimated net worth of $50.5 billion, tied in 11th place in 2019 on the Forbes 500 list of the nation’s richest men.

 

Charles Koch has released the following statement about the death of his brother, David:

It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my brother David. Anyone who worked with David surely experienced his giant personality and passion for life. Twenty-seven years ago, David was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer and given a grim prognosis of a few years to live.  David liked to say that a combination of brilliant doctors, state-of-the-art medications and his own stubbornness kept the cancer at bay. We can all be grateful that it did, because he was able to touch so many more lives as a result.

In those bountiful years, he married the lovely Julia Flesher, had three exceptional children, while remaining dedicated to the long-term success of Koch Industries. David also made institution changing philanthropic commitments to hospitals, cancer research, education and the arts. The significance of David’s generosity is best captured in the words of Adam Smith, who wrote, ‘to indulge our benevolent affections, constitutes the perfection of human nature.’

While this is a very sad day for us all, I want you to know that David was proud of the extraordinary work you all have done to make Koch Industries the successful company that it is today. He will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.

David retired as executive vice president of Koch Industries in 2018. He leaves behind his wife, Julia Koch, and three beloved children. David’s family released this statement on his passing:

While we mourn the loss of our hero, we remember his iconic laughter, insatiable curiosity, and gentle heart. His stories of childhood adventures enlivened our family dinners; his endless knowledge rendered him our ‘walking Google.’ His sensitive heart had him shed a tear at the beauty of his daughter’s ballet, and beam with pride when his son beat him at chess. We will miss the fifth link in our family.

“Yet, we wish for all to celebrate the life and impact of this most generous and kind man. He believed he had a responsibility to a world that had given him so many opportunities to succeed. David’s philanthropic dedication to education, the arts and cancer research will have a lasting impact on innumerable lives – and that we will cherish forever.”

To learn more about David Koch’s legacy, visit this site.

Kansas U.S. Senator Pat Roberts issued a statement saying that David Koch’s passionate commitment to philanthropy will continue to touch lives for many generations.   His statement reads:

“From the resources he invested throughout the country in cancer research to promoting educational causes like the study of natural history at the Smithsonian, David’s legacy will carry on to benefit others. I appreciated our friendship as I worked with him in Kansas on many areas of mutual interest over the years. Franki and I send our sympathies to Julia, David’s three children, his brothers and the entire Koch family. May their sadness be eased somewhat with the knowledge that David Koch’s life and work left us with many lasting gifts for which we will be forever grateful.”

 

Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran also released a statement:

“From criminal justice reform and medical research, to education and the arts, David Koch was a champion for the causes and issues he cared about, and his philanthropic work will benefit generations of Kansans to come. David’s dedication to the future success of our country, unprecedented work to advance Wichita, and impact on Kansas through his business leadership will be remembered. Robba and I are praying for the Koch family during this difficult time.”

Recommended Posts

Loading...