Hans-Reinhard Koch
Hans-Reinhard Koch (27 November 1929 – 25 April 2018) was a German
Early life and education
Koch was born in Leinefelde in Thuringia as the son of dentist Adolf Koch and housewife Maria Koch.[2] He had two older and two younger siblings. After elementary school in Leinefelde he completed secondary school in Heiligenstadt and Duderstadt where he received his abitur in 1950. He went on to study theology at the seminary in Fulda, Erfurt, and Neuzelle Abbey.[3]
Career
He was ordained priest by bishop Josef Freusberg[4] in Erfurt Cathedral in 1955.[5] After working as chaplain in Nordhausen, he got a position in Kölleda where he worked as pastor for youth in district of Sömmerda. In 1965, he started working at the seminary in Erfurt where he became in charge of the education of priests.[5] In 1968, he started working at the diocesan chancery where he became administrator for priests and lay staff.[5] He served as cathedral priest at Erfurt Cathedral from 1983.[5]
He was appointed auxiliary
Personal life and awards
Koch continued to live in Erfurt after his retirement and enjoyed reading and art.[3] He made a pilgrimage to the church of Klüschen Hagis in 2013, when he was more than 80 years old.[3]
He served for many years on the board of the German Caritas (Deutscher Caritasverband). In 2009, he was awarded the highest award of the organization, the Silbernen Brottellers.[5] He received the Order of Merit of the Free State of Thuringia from Christine Lieberknecht in 2010.[5]
Koch was found unconscious in his home on 21 April 2018 and diagnosed with intracranial hemorrhage. He never regained consciousness, and died on 25 April 2018 at the age of 88.[2]
Notes
- ^ Hans-Reinhard Koch
- ^ a b Fabian Klaus (25 April 201) Abschied vom ersten Weihbischof: Hans-Reinhard Koch stirbt nach schwerem Sturz Thüringer Allgemeine
- ^ a b c d e Erfurts Altweihbischof Hans-Reinhard Koch gestorben Katolisch.de. Retrieved 26 April 201
- ^ a b Bishop Hans-Reinhard Koch Catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 26 April 2018
- ^ a b c d e f g Trauer um Altweihbischof Hans-Reinhard Koch Eichsfelder Nachrichten, 25 April 2018