Richard Koch has a question for Special Olympics Virginia that's never completely answered: "What more can I do? Where can I help?"
Over the years, the answers and his follow-through have led him to volunteer more than 60 hours a month for the organization that creates athletic opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.
Today, that dedication will earn Koch the top global community service award from UPS. Last year's recipient of the Jim Casey Community Service Award was in China.
Koch, 59, works as director of accounting operations for UPS Freight in Richmond. He became involved in Special Olympics when he moved to Chesterfield County in 1996 because he and wife Karin have a special-needs son, Jonathan, now 29.
The first time Koch put his question to Special Olympics, "They said, 'We have a soccer program.' I could referee or coach," Koch recalled.
"I said, 'I'll need a yellow card and a red card.' They had no idea what I was talking about. They came with a poster" instead of the pocket-sized cards that referees use to signal penalties on players.
That didn't stop him. "We developed a great relationship," he said.
Since then, Koch has been involved in soccer, softball and basketball as a coach, league organizer and tournament director. Using his accounting skills, he helps the organization with budgeting and organization.
. . .
On a typical week, he leaves work on Monday at 5:30 p.m. and picks up an athlete on the way to basketball practice. After practice ends at about 9:30 p.m., he and Jonathan have a pizza at about 10 p.m.
If it's a tournament week, he'll spend several other nights at his computer. Organizing a tournament takes about 20 hours, he said. "That takes up a lot of weekends and evenings."
Fridays are often spent with a Special Olympics bowling league.
"I've been blessed with the ability to manage my time," he said. "I think I'm just kind of doing what my calling is. It's rewarding and fulfilling."
Special Olympics tournaments crown many champions at many different ability levels. As tournament director, his job is to match opponents "so that every single person feels victorious and no one feels it was unfair.
"It's a completely different way to view competition and what's really important. They trust that if they do their best and play as a team, they have a chance to win," he said.
"Ultimately, it's more than how far they threw the ball or how fast they ran. I observe their growth as individuals and as citizens. They can achieve more because of the confidence they've gained from the recreational environment."
The Koch family was honored by Special Olympics Virginia in 1998 as the outstanding family of the year. Both parents were involved as coaches and administrators. Jonathan participated in five sports. Michelle, his sister, was his partner and a volunteer.
Watching Jonathan develop has been rewarding, Koch said.
"He is incredibly outgoing. He teaches me something every day," Koch said. "He expects people to be honest, to be honorable, to do what they promise. He reminds me that if you expect the best out of people, frequently you get the best out of people."
Contact Katherine Calos at (804) 649-6433 or kcalos@timesdispatch.com.
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