Harlan James Koca, 89, of Mission, Kansas passed away Tuesday March 10, 2020. Harlan was born September 7, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois the son of William Koca and Gertrude Werner and was raised by Hermina Koca (stepmother). He grew up in the suburbs of Brookfield and LaGrange where he ran track in high school at Lyons Township H.S. Harlan attend General Motors Institute (now Kettering Institute) in Flint, Michigan to study engineering, and graduated from Northern Illinois University. He obtained both a bachelors and master’s degree in math education. He later earned a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Illinois.
He served in the United States Army from 1952-1954 during the Korean War. He then taught mathematics at Lyons Township High School before becoming an assistant professor at Washburn University in Topeka, KS. Harlan retired after 29 years in the mathematics department. He was a member of the Mathematical Association of America and the Topeka Area Teachers of Mathematics
Harlan was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Mission, KS and enjoyed sports, dinner theater, classical music, traveling to the National Parks, and old movies. He had a keen sense of humor and gave of his time by volunteering at church activities and Blessings Abound Thrift Shop.
Harlan is survived by his wife of 60 years Kathryn Koca (Vagts), Russell Koca (son), Carolyn Koca Marney (daughter), Randall Koca (son) and seven grandchildren - Haleigh, Madison, Mallory, Mitchell and Morgan Koca, and Logan and Alexa Marney.
Funeral Services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church 5601 W. 62nd Street, Mission, KS. Visitation at 9:30 and service at 10:30. Burial at Mount Hope Cemetery Topeka, KS approximately 1:30pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances may be made to either:
Trinity Lutheran Church Foundation
https://tlcms.org/give/
Contact Foundation President rex@tlcms.org
Washburn University Mathematics Department
Harlan & Kathryn Koca Tutoring Fund
Fund Code 3850
https://www.wualumni.org/givenow
Department of Mathematics & Statistics
Morgan Hall, Room 250
1700 SW College Ave.
Topeka, KS 66621