On July 29th, 1967, The USS Forrestal (CVA-59), operating off of the coast of North Vietnam, suffered the holocaust of accidental bomb explosions and a massive fire from burning jet fuel. He progressed quickly up the ranks, as a mustang, and retired after 25 years, as Commander. Mel joined the Navy at age 18, right out of high school. Sister-in-law Georgine Koch of Bellevue, Ohio and an extended number of nieces and nephews, who will miss Uncle Melvin's irreverent sense of humor. Great-Grandchildren: Sophia Thurman, Knox and Harper Carpenter, and Parker and Dylan Frymyer. Mel was known as "Poppi" to his grandchildren: Amery Thurman Frymyer and her husband Ryan, Parker Thurman and his wife Caroline, Erica Wills Carpenter and her husband Christian, Isabelle Wills, Juliette Wills, and Cooper Melvin Koch. Mel leaves to grieve his passing his loving wife, partner and life's loving companion of 65 years, Jimmie Koch, their son Doug Koch and his wife Christine, and their daughters Darlene McGinnis and Melanie Koch Wills and her husband Ken. Mel was predeceased by his beloved son, Richard Koch, his parents, and six siblings: brothers Delmar, Orville, Donald, and Laverne Koch, and sisters Phyllis Barnett and Marion Hampshire. Mel was born April 3rd, 1932, to Elizabeth Hazelback and Harvey George Koch in Bellevue, Ohio. CDR Melvin August Koch, USN (Ret.) CDR Melvin August Koch, USN (Ret.), passed this life on January 25th, 2017.
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