Rudolph "Rudy" J. Koch Jr.

     Rudolph J. Koch Jr., “Rudy”, 93, of Spring Hill, Florida, passed away peacefully with his wife at his side on Friday, January 9, 2026, in Brooksville, Florida.

     Rudy was born on November 24, 1932, in Jersey City, New Jersey, to the late Rudolph Koch Sr. and Ruth (Rumph) Koch.  He graduated from Memorial High, West N.Y., where he was a member of their basketball team.  A veteran of the United States Army, Rudy later followed in his father’s footsteps, dedicating his professional life to his craft as a skilled butcher.

     He was married to his late wife, Catherine (Eyerman) Koch, for 28 years.  On June 6, 1987, he was again blessed in marriage for 38 years to Elizabeth (Kovacs) Koch.  A devoted family man, Rudy is survived by his children Lisa Koch, Randy Koch, Stephanie (Steve) Cozzone, Diane (Charles) Shuart, and Victor (Kristine) Skiba.  He was a proud grandfather to Amber, Zachary, Amanda (Adam) Aylesworth, Kaitlyn (Louis) Kirk, Stephen Cozzone, Emily Cozzone, Jacob (Erin) Insinga, Kerri (Blake) Green, KatieLynn (Christopher) Barker, Charles “Chasy” Shuart, Christopher Skiba, Joseph Skiba, and Juliette Skiba.  His legacy continues through his great-grandchildren, Skye, Storm, Landon, Linx, Damien, India, Rachael, Grace, Mason, Cooper, and Dillon.

  Rudy is also survived by his sister Ruth “Cookie” (Ernest) Walti and nieces Debra (Mark) Stichter and Lynda (Michael) Kramer, brother in law, Siegfried Kovacs and sister in law, Erica Kovacs and many nieces and nephews.

   Rudy found great joy in deep-sea fishing as a youngster with his cousins and father, and continued to enjoy the sport throughout his adulthood. He was a voracious chess player and an active member of his community, attending services at St. Francis Xavier Cabrini Catholic Church, Spring Hill, FL.  He was a familiar face at the local Hungarian Club, where he and his wife spent many occasions dancing and socializing with friends. Rudy also enjoyed spending time walking and relaxing with their precious pooch, Princess.  The family would like to express their appreciation to their family and friends for their support over the past months and to the wonderful people at Sturghill Hospice House in Spring Hill FL. for the compassionate care they provided.

     Family and friends are invited to attend the funeral Mass on Friday, January 16th, at 11:00 am. at St. Francis Xavier Cabrini Catholic Church, 5030 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill, FL. 34609.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made in Rudy’s name to either Wounded Waters (woundedwaters.org) or to the Humane Society of Naturecoast (humanerescue.org).

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