Remembering Edmonton car dealer Murray Koch
April 1, 2024
It is with sadness that we report that a prominent Edmonton, Alberta car dealer passed away last week. Murray Koch, who had been a dealer principal for more than 30 years, died in an Edmonton Hospital.
Murray first became a dealer principal in 1969, starting a legacy that continues today as the third generation of Koch family members continue to work in the dealerships and are big supporters of the auto retail industry, and the Automotive Business School of Canada.
In a statement to dealership staff that the Koch family shared with CADA Newsline, they remembered Murray and his legacy.
“It is with a heavy heart that the Koch family would like to inform you of the passing of our dear uncle and friend to many of our staff, Murray Koch. He passed away suddenly while in care at the Misericordia Hospital, Edmonton,” the statement read.
“Murray was one of the co-founders of Koch Lincoln Mercury which went into operation in 1965, he took over as Dealer Principal in 1969 and ran the store until 2003. He was without a doubt one the most respected dealers in Edmonton and maybe all of Canada, as he and his brother Loris built the business we all enjoy today. He was always held in very high esteem and respect with Ford Motor Company not just in Canada but Ford Motor Company around the world. He will be dearly missed and will leave a massive hole to fill, and will always be remembered as long as Koch Auto group exists.”
Rick Gauthier, former CADA President and CEO, remembers Murray well and worked closely with him while he was at the helm of the association. Reached for comment in Florida, Gauthier said: “The passing of Murray Koch saddens me greatly. There was no greater gentleman than Murray. He was the embodiment of what it means to be devoted to his family and dedicated to a cause greater than his own,” said Gauthier. “It’s this dedication that brought him to serve his national association (CADA).”
Gauthier said Murray was a respected member of CADA’s Executive Committee from 1991-1997 and served as Chair from 1994-95.
“More than most others that I’ve had the honour of working with over my 20 years at CADA, Murray was a true Institutionalist. He wholeheartedly believed in the cause of CADA and he was its most ardent supporter and ambassador. After his term of office, he continued his mission to promote CADA by becoming Chairman, of CAPIL, CADA’s then off-shore warranty program. My prayers go out to his wife Karey and nephews, Rick & Duane Koch both supporters of CADA in their own right, as well as to the rest of their family.”
In 2015, Canadian auto dealer reported that David, Duane and Rick Koch, all brothers from the Koch Automotive Group had won the Motor Dealers’ Association of Alberta (MDA) Dealers of Excellence awards, following in the footsteps of Murray who was also a past winner. The tradition of excellence, it seems, has been passed on.
On behalf of our dealer members, CADA expresses its sincere condolences to the Koch family during this difficult time.