Arthur Rudolph Koch, 84, of Russell, Kansas, died on Tuesday, August 14, 2012, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

Arthur was born on February 3, 1928, in a car near Ault, Colorado.  He was the son of Philip and Caroline (Miller) Koch of Galatia, Kansas.  He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Doris Karst on June 11, 1950, in Milberger, Kansas.  From this union Arthur and Doris were blessed with their son Kurtis.  Doris preceded Arthur in death on June 2, 1990.  He was a veteran of the Korean War and served in the U.S. Marine Corps Infantry Division and later in the Marine Corps Reserves.  He resided in Russell, Kansas, for 20 years and worked in the oil fields before becoming an appliance technician for Deines Brothers Furniture.  In 1975, he moved to Arvada, Colorado, and worked for GE as an appliance service technician until his retirement.  He lived for a short time in Sun City, Arizona, before returning to Russell.  He was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church in Russell and a lifelong member of the V.F.W. Post #6240 and the American Legion Post #99, both in Russell.

Arthurs is survived by his son Kurtis Koch and wife Debra of Great Bend, Kansas; two sisters Irene Ernst of Lebanon, Pennsylvania and Julia Koch Fraser of Fullerton, California; two grandsons Nathan Koch of Huntsville, Texas and Matthew Koch and fiancée Amber Dowson of Great Bend, Kansas; and his companion Mary Huffman.

He was also preceded in death by his parents.

A celebration of Arthur’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, August 18, 2012, at St. John Lutheran Church in Russell with Pastor Roger Dennis officiating.  Burial will follow at the St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Russell with military rites performed by the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240.  Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Friday, August 17th with the family present to greet guests from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. on Friday evening at the mortuary.  Memorials may be given to the Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell and sent in care of the mortuary.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.