Richard 'Rick' Koch Sr., 59, of Millville, DE, formerly of Galena, MD passed away on January 5, 2025, in MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC, surrounded by his loving family.

Rick was born on September 10, 1965, the son of the late Robert and Janet Jaeske Koch.  He was raised in Hacks Point, MD and graduated from Bohemia Manor HS.  He began his fire service at a young age, volunteering at Hacks Point Fire Co. and Galena VFC as a firefighter and paramedic. He was a life member of both departments.  In 2015 he returned to college to earn his Bachelor of Science in Fire Administration from Columbia Southern University, graduating Magna Cum Laude.

He started his career as a paramedic for the Cecil County Department of Emergency Services in 1990, retiring after 26 years of service as an Assistant Chief of Training. After a brief retirement of three days, he accepted a position as captain for the Ocean City Fire Department, eventually rising to his current rank of Battalion Chief. He was also an EMT and Paramedic instructor for MFRI and MIEMSS throughout the state of Maryland. Additionally, he taught CPR classes for businesses and was previously a forensic investigator for the State of Maryland. He also served on the board of Cecil-Kent Health Services.

During his tenure with Galena VFC, he was instrumental in making the EMS and the Paramedic programs a success. In Galena, he held the following positions: EMS Chief: 1991, 1992, 2003-2008, 2010, Deputy EMS Chief: 2009, Assistant EMS Chief: 1996, 2002-2003, EMS Captain: 1993-1994, EMS Safety Officer: 1995, 1998-1999, President: 2011-2013, and Director: 2016.  He achieved Life Member status in 2012 and was inducted into the Kent and Queen Anne's Volunteer Fire, EMS, and Rescue Association Hall of Fame in 2013.  He was awarded EMS Chief Emeritus of GVFC in 2017 and inducted into the Kent County Fire and EMS Hall of Fame in 2024.

Rick loved sports and coached T-Ball through Little League when his son was younger. He also became a cheer and dance dad who never missed a competition or recital. He was an avid fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, Flyers, and Penn State football. Above all, Rick loved his family and enjoyed nothing more than spending time with them.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Sophia Grace; in-laws Bill and Mary Jo Lum; nephew Devin Lum; and two brothers, Bob and Jeff Koch.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Gayle; daughter Stacy Lovegrove and her husband Jacob; son Richard Jr. and his wife Morgan; grandchildren Leighton and Trey Koch, Evan, Carson, and Thomas Lovegrove, and Paisley Usilton; in-laws Dot Jones, Dave Lum and his wife Michele, Cindy Piasecki, Tracy Piasecki and her husband Albert, Teresa Koch, and Lisa Koch; brothers Bill Koch and Steve Koch; and sister Julie Bonventre as well as many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at the Galena Volunteer Fire Company, 90 E. Cross Street, Galena, MD, at 1:00 PM. An additional service will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the Ocean City Fire Department Headquarters, 1409 Philadelphia Avenue, Ocean City, MD, at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be offered to the March of Dimes, the Animal Care Shelter for Kent County or Brandywine Valley SPCA (Sussex County Shelter) in care of Galena Funeral Home of Stephen L. Schaech, 118 W. Cross Street, Galena, MD 21635.