Frederick Koch, arts benefactor and low-profile Koch brother, dies aged 86
While his high profile brothers bankrolled libertarian causes, Frederick Koch preferred to live in relative anonymity
While his high profile brothers bankrolled libertarian causes, Frederick Koch preferred to live in relative anonymity
Koch used his share of the family wealth to support a career as a benefactor of the arts and historic preservation. He amassed extensive collections of rare books, musical manuscripts and fine and decorative arts, including Marie Antoinette’s canopied bed.
His collection of manor houses included a 150-room castle in Austria once owned by the Archduke Franz Ferdinand, which Koch used for decades as a summer retreat.
His friend and longtime assistant John Olsen told the New York Times Koch died at his Manhattan home on Wednesday of heart failure.Olsen said Koch’s entire estate will be used to establish a foundation to promote the study of literature, history and the arts.
