Heinz Rolf Koch
Jan 10, 1934 - December 19, 2024
Peacefully at home, after a brief illness, Heinz set sail on his final voyage, with his daughters Karen and Michelle and granddaughter Alexandra by his side.
Born in Karlsruhe, Germany, Heinz immigrated to Canada in 1950, where he eventually settled in London, Ontario. He was a linesman for Bell Canada for over 35 years.
Heinz had many passions throughout his life. He was a longtime member of the German-Canadian Club of London and played on their soccer team. He was active with the London Automobile Sports Club for many years, providing mechanical support for racers and acting as the communications expert, setting up the phone and speaker systems. He even participated in some races with his Porsche. Years later, he took over the family basement with his numerous saltwater fish tanks and entered his prized lionfish in competitions. Later in life, model trains became a passion. He set up a large track in his basement, where he would spend hours building model train cars and running them on the tracks he created.
Heinz loved his Detroit and Michigan teams; countless hours were filled watching the Red Wings, Tigers, his beloved Lions, and the University of Michigan Wolverines. His soccer obsession was also evident, as he spent many weekends as armchair coach for FC Bayern Munich and Liverpool FC.
Heinz's greatest passion was sailing. As a member of the Port Stanley Sailing Squadron, he raced on Lake Erie in his “Dragon Lady” and “Temporal”. Over a period of three years, he assisted in building his dream yacht, “Altair IV”, and at the age of 55, he set off from Port Stanley on the adventure of a lifetime. Stops on his journey included Florida, St Thomas (Virgin Islands), and Puerto Rico, where he survived Hurricane Hugo in 1989. He sailed extensively in the Caribbean and even travelled the Amazon River. His final port and home for almost 25 years was Port of Spain, Trinidad. Heinz was a valued member of the Trinidad and Tobago Yacht Club and remains an honoured member to this day. In 2017 at the age of 83, he sold Altair IV and returned to London to spend his remaining years.
Heinz is predeceased by his beloved parents Rudolph (1992) and Herta (2007) and is survived by Barbara; daughters Pam, Sheelah (Shelton), Karen, and Michelle (Todd); grandchildren Kazimir, Holly, Kaelan (Amari), Jude, Katriana, Alexandra, and Aiden; and great granddaughter Elliot Rose.
He is fondly remembered by good friends Larry, Bob, John, Peggy, Bernie, Pete and Jennie, and his relatives Walburga, Sylvia, Eva, and Claudia.
Heinz will be cremated and his ashes spread in his two favourite ports: Port Stanley and his beloved Trinidad. As per his wishes, there will be no service or celebration of life.
Heinz’s family would especially like to extend their gratitude to Dr. James MacLean and Alicia Wocks who supported Heinz to sail away on his own terms, as he did with everything in his life. Thank you as well to the hospital staff at London Health Sciences Centre and to Dr. Andrew Sripalan, Ontario Health at Home, the VON and Paramed.
Red skies at night, sailor's delight.
Red skies in the morning, sailors take warning.
We will meet again on the flip side in a New York minute.
Roger that. Over and out.
Messages and condolences may be left at www.forestcitycremation.com. Please visit Heinz’s obituary notice on Facebook.