Monday, February 24, 2020
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My sons, Max and Morgan Zimmerman, attended Birchview Elementary when Tom, Dr Koch, was the Principal there. I used to volunteer regularly hanging up the students' artworks for the Art Teacher, Mrs Klotz. Every few weeks I would be at the school putting up or taking down artworks, and standing on a small step ladder. I had heard that Dr Koch sang to every student on their birthdays. They would get to stand on a table while he sang and then he gave them a pencil.
One bleak December 18th I was hanging artworks when I heard Dr Koch singing 'Happy Birthday' and cheers coming from a nearby classroom. When Dr Koch emerged he came by to say 'Hello' and tell me to be careful on the ladder, which everyone always did. I confessed to him that it happened to be my birthday that day. Then Dr Koch put his hand on his heart and sang 'Happy Birthday' to me. He even gave me a pencil.
There was no problem too large or too small for Dr Koch. Both my kids had some challenging times. I quickly learned that Dr Koch could handle things that seemed awful or daunting, and along with his team, always did his best to solve things and resolve things.
Once my son, Morgan, was allowed to accompany on guitar the Birchview choir as they sang Johnny Cash's 'I've Been Everywhere'. Dr Koch took time out of his busy schedule to rehearse with Morgan. Then at the performance when there was no microphone set up for him, Dr Koch dashed in with a handheld mic leaning uncomfortably during the duration of the long song to amplify Morgan.
It was so like him: always kind. Aware of others, Fun, attentive, present.
He made a difference to everyone around him. He acknowledged everyone, every child, every parent, every staff member. I saw him graciously accept every cookie, donut, piece of candy, and gesture from the Birchview kids. He always showed them that he cared about them. We moms used to marvel that he knew every child's name.
Somewhere I have a photo of Dr Koch with Morgan from Birchview's production of 'ANNIE'. Morgan played President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Dr Koch leans down next to Morgan In a wheelchair with his hair sprayed silver. They are both smiling and look alike in the photo. Dr Koch always gave kids respect and dignity. He created an atmosphere of fun and camaraderie within a responsible, caring community devoted to education, growth and love for learning.
How grateful I am to have known him. My adult sons still talk about things they learned from Dr Koch, and the good times they had at Birchview.
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