George Koch was a long time member of the Philadelphia Section. He was the 1962-1963 president of the section. When I came to Drexel in 1970, he was one of the first to welcome me to the section and invited me to his office where he introduced me to injection molding. He along with Craig Hollenbeck, Don's father and E.B Westlake, the founder of Westlake Plastics, gave me my first real introduction to the real world of plastics. These were the pioneers that made the plastics industry what it is today.
(Roger D. Corneliussen, National Councilman, Philadelphia Section)

George H. Koch Jr. | Business owner, 88

George H. Koch Jr., 88, of Haddonfield, a businessman who started a plastics engineering company when plastic products were becoming popular, died of a heart attack Sunday, April 11, at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Camden.

Born in Camden and raised in Oaklyn, Mr. Koch graduated from Collingswood High School in 1938.

He received a degree in business administration from St. Joseph's College in 1943 and an engineering certificate in 1945.

Mr. Koch initially worked at a toolmaking business in North Jersey before opening Oak Engineering, his own toolmaking business, in 1949. He sold it a year later and started Koch Plastic Engineering Co.

The injection machines used in his business could mold just about anything into plastic. In the 1970s, he worked on molding some of the first plastic medical syringes, said his wife, Carol.

Mr. Koch was president of the Philadelphia section of the Society of Plastics Engineers for a few years and a member of the Plastics Pioneers Association.

In 1982, Mr. Koch retired and sold his business. He also married Carol C. Shelley that year.

Mr. Koch enjoyed golfing at Tavistock Country Club, where he played in many tournaments and was on the board. He also liked boating and fine dining.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Koch is survived by a son, David; daughters Toni and Linda; four grandchildren; and his first wife, Mary.

Friends may call from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Friday, April 16, at the Sayre Pavilion of Haddonfield United Methodist Church, 29 Warwick Rd. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary.