philip | Lake Rudolph

Apr 09 2014

Remembering Philip

Today marks one year since Philip’s passing. Philip was our owner, CEO, and our friend. We still miss him each day. Especially now as we’re preparing to open for the season.

Philip would have been busy planning, creating, and building. He’d have been expanding and celebrating the start of another season here at Lake Rudolph.

We know that he’s guiding us in the changes we’re making for the 2014 season. And that he’ll be looking down on us and helping along the way.

He always did need to put his touch on things. 🙂

It’s funny, there are times when you swear you can almost hear his voice from down the hall. How he loved to break into a rousing rendition of “You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch.” And he loved to pop up when you least expected him and scare the daylights out of you. We miss his quick wit and humor. Or how he’d take everyone to lunch on a random Tuesday. We miss his boisterous spirit and the excitement he had when sharing a new idea or project with us.

We’re keeping all his family and friends in our thoughts today, and every day, as they’re continuing their life without their father, husband, son, brother, and friend.

We miss you Philip!

Philip J. Koch
1965 – 2013

Apr 09 2013

Funeral Arrangements for Philip Koch

Funeral arrangements have been set for our friend and CEO, Philip.

Visitation will be held at Saint Nicholas Church in Santa Claus, Indiana, on Thursday, April 11, from 2:00 – 8:00 pm CDT, and also from 9:00 am until service time on Friday. Philip’s funeral is set for Friday, April 12, at 10:00 am CDT at the church.

The Koch family appreciates all the thoughts and prayers from the public during this difficult time.

Our Lake Rudolph family also appreciates your kind words of support as we remember Philip and celebrate his life and great accomplishments.

Apr 09 2013

We’ll Miss You, Our Friend

It’s with very heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of our friend and CEO, Philip Koch. Philip passed away this morning at Deaconess Hospital surrounded by his family.

Born and raised in Santa Claus, Indiana, Philip attended Heritage Hills High School in Lincoln City, Indiana, graduating in 1983. He attended Purdue University and graduated in 1988 with a BS in Business Administration and Management.

Philip was passionate about continuing his father’s legacy, the late Bill Koch, to build and promote the tourism industry in Santa Claus, Indiana. The town’s slogan, America’s Christmas Hometown, was one of Philip’s many ideas. Under Philip’s direction, Lake Rudolph grew from a 100 site campground, to a 500 site destination resort including over 270 Cabins and Rental RVs. He helped design the layouts for Lake Rudolph’s King Size Rental RVs and Rudolph’s Christmas Cabins. It’s with his vision that we have grown into the campground we are today, new water slides and all!

Funeral arrangements are pending. Philip is survived by his wife, Carol, and two children, Alexa and Logan, and a stepson, Tony. He is also survived by his mother, Pat, and siblings Kristi, Dan, and Natalie. His family requests privacy as they mourn and our hearts are with them during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, as per Philip’s wishes, the family asks for donations to be made to the Santa Claus Museum. The family will create an antique historical train room in his honor. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Philip created such wonderful attractions and activities for families to visit and enjoy. His main concern was making sure our guests had great experiences in a fun, clean, family environment. While Philip’s family and our Lake Rudolph family mourn his passing, we want to assure our guests that we will be open for business as Lake Rudolph begins its 56th season on May 1. Philip wouldn’t want it any other way. He was so proud of the business he’d grown for families to enjoy. And now our main concern is continuing on the path he started.

There are so many things we’ll miss about Philip. We’ll miss his booming, infectious laugh and his boisterous spirit. His vision and drive to create and grow our business. We’ll miss his friendship and generosity, his humor and teasing personality. Simply put, we will miss our friend.

Philip Koch
Son, father, husband, brother and friend
1965 – 2013