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1947-2023
Arthur had brain cancer.
Here is a "eulogy" written by someone who knew him from his "lifeguard" days!
Flash Arthur Koch was born in New York City in 1947 and moved to Maywood while a small child. He lived in the same house for over 70 years. He was named after his father Arthur but told everyone to call him "Flash." He said he ran a race in school and won and was nicknamed Flash though no one seems to know if he ever was on the track team. His mother's name was Fanny and she lived to 95. He had a younger brother named Richard.
There is a movie named "Lifeguard" (1976) about a 32-year-old Southern California career lifeguard named Rick Carlson and played by Sam Elliott who must face a decision to take on a job with a career or continue with the carefree lifestyle he loves. At the end Rick decides to stay as a lifeguard. Flash followed a similar path.
One can imagine Flash having a similar conversation--maybe about the same year (1976)
Flash worked as a lifeguard at the Old Mill in Paramus, NJ and also at Darlington County Park in Mahwah, NJ. He loved the outdoors, summer, nature and the water. Flash kept himself in excellent shape and followed a daily routine of exercise in the gym. He was one of the first members of the Jack LaLanne gym in Paramus down the street from his house. He bought a plan in the 1970s which allowed an annual membership for $50 a year. Over the years the gym was bought out again and again and they kept on honoring his agreement.
Flash would walk around the gym and seemed to know everyone. He would talk to the adjacent person on the bike in the gym. Then he would talk to the muscleheads lifting weights. He circulated freely between all--Blacks, Latinos, Whites, old and young--everyone seems to have known Flash. He had a touch for the common man and was no respecter of status or income.
Flash loved working at the Old Mill beach and had many crazy wacky stories to tell. The stories didn't seem to have a punch line or ending....they just went from one incident to another.
In the summer Flash would spend every day seven days a week at Darlington County Park. For the last 30 years he did not work there. Instead he followed a routine of walking and talking, searching for errant golf balls, and a stop at a special chin-up bar. When the beach closed after Labor Day Flash would continue his daily trips to Darlington throughout September as long as the weather was warm.
Flash was the "mayor" of Darlington spreading good wishes and good will. He published an annual newspaper called "Darlington Dirt" which featured the seasonal and full-time park staff. He would take pictures with his old-school film camera and have prints developed for the paper.
Flash liked to golf and created a miniature golf course in his back yard. Somehow he found a way to configure 9 holes in the small space. The clubs were putters and there were always scorecards and little pencils.
Flash liked collectibles but never figured a way to sell his items on eBay. He was a technophobe and never had a computer. He also never had cable tv. Nor was he able to rent a car when traveling as he never had a credit card....eventually he surrendered and got a Smartphone.
He had every baseball card since 1950. He collected coins and became a coin dealer servicing a table at the Parsippany Police Athletic League building the first Sunday of every month.
Flash was a very gentle person who did not get into arguments or disagreements. He was true to himself and lived his life without compromise.
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