Gary Marlin Koch, 79, of New Ringgold, Pennsylvania, passed away Sunday, March 14th, at Geisinger St. Luke's Hospital, Orwigsburg, PA.
Gary was born in Pottsville, PA on November 7, 1941, a son of the late Edith Kathryn (Walter) and Marlin Luther Koch.
He was the widower of Mavis Marie (Johansen) Koch.
From Penn State he earned a Bachelor of Science in 1963, Master of Science in 1965 and PhD in 1970. Gary was Professor of Plant Science at Fresno State.
He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Orwigsburg, PA and Trinity Lutheran Church, Fresno, CA.
Gary is survived by two daughters, Debra Abbott, wife of Brad, of Fort Collins, Colorado and Katherine Knight, wife of Ryan, of Clovis, California and his grandson Tristan Knight. Gary is also survived by his brother, Marlin (Bud) Koch Jr., widower of Ann, and nieces Julie Shanley, Jane MacDonald, Jennette Monahan and Jill Persiani. He is also survived by niece Kirsten Johansen, nephew Emil Johansen and many cousins and their families.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 215 N. Warren St., Orwigsburg, PA 17961 or Trinity Lutheran Church, 3973 N. Cedar Ave., Fresno, CA 93726. Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home, Inc. Orwigsburg is honored, to have been entrusted with Private Services.