Robert “Bob” Alan Koch was born Dec. 12, 1948, to Alton and Euretha (Meyer) Koch in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.
He attended Mt Pleasant High School, graduating in 1967. He then attended Concordia Theological Seminary, earning his Master’s Degree in Divinity in 1975. On Aug. 9, 1975, Bob was united in marriage to Bettie Kaye Bretthauer at Immanuel Lutheran Church (Middle Creek). Bob served as a pastor at multiple churches in Nebraska, Montana and Colorado.
In his free time, he enjoyed golfing, fishing, gardening, playing cards and board games like Scrabble. He enjoyed spending time with his family playing sports and watching the sporting events and musicals of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He liked to sing and play the piano, and enjoyed telling jokes (even posting them daily on different message boards). He loved talking with people and sharing his love of Christ. Bob passed away Dec. 5, 2025, in Seward, at the age of 76.
He is survived by his children, Raymond (Shannon) Bretthauer of Lincoln, Randall Koch of Brighton, Colorado, Ryan (Amanda) Koch of Seward, Rhonda (Robert) Mueller of Seward Rosemary (Richard) Bretthauer-Mueller, Rebekah (Conrad) Trevino of Seward, Robin (Jose) Aragon of Parker, Colorado; grandchildren, Riitta (Nic) Kulinski, Robert (Amanda) Mueller II, Ross Mueller, Russell (Farrell) Mueller, Rodney (Emmy) Mueller, Rosalie Mueller, Rikki (Alex) Wakefield Mueller, Rianna (Scott) Cain, Alex (Sarah) Mueller, Jake (Lindy) Mueller, Eli Mueller, Faythe (Conner) Gerner, Brady (Madison) Treviño, Marcus Treviño, Victoria (Travis) Sarringar, Raymond "Anthony" (Ashley) Bretthauer, Sierra Shouse, Jalyn Parker, John Rogers, Tyler Koch, Jordan Aragon, Jaylee Aragon, Emily Aragon; 28 great-grandchildren; sisters, Julie Koch, Bonnie (Charlie) Snyder; brother, David (Barbara) Koch; sister-in-law, Linda Koch; niece, Holly Dean; nephews, Mark McConahay, Scot Koch and Chris Koch.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Alton and Euretha Koch; wife, Bettie Kaye Koch; brother, William Koch and granddaughter Kara Mueller.
A gathering of family and friends is Thursday, Dec. 11, from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at Volzke Funeral Home. The funeral service is Friday, Dec. 12, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward with committal at the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery (Middle Creek). Memorial contributions are suggested to the Koch family.
Arrangements by Volzke Funeral Home.
