Elton P. Koch was elected Commander-in-Chief of the Sons of Union Veteran of the Civil War at the 98th Annual Encampment held in Hartford Connecticut on August 11 - 15, 1979.

Brother Koch's eligibility to our Order is twofold. His maternal great-grandfather, Benjamin F. Gerhard, served as a Private in Company C, 153rd Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers and his paternal great-grandfather, John L. Koch, served in Company H, 101st Regiment, Ohio Volunteers.

Brother Elton was obligated into Corporal Weaver Camp 295 in Hellertown, PA, on November 4, 1935 by past Commander-in-Chief C. LeRoy Stoudt. He served as Camp Commander in 1941 and has served as Camp Treasurer since 1963. After holding many Department Offices, he was elected Commander of the Pennsylvania Department in 1961. He is a member of the Sons of Veterans Reserves and has served on the Pennsylvania Brigade Staff and the 2nd Military District. In 1972 he was elected Commanding Officer of the Pennsylvania Brigade, the oldest Brigade connected with the Sons of Veterans Reserves.

In addition to his activities within our Order, Brother Elton is a Past President of the Chester Pike Rotary Club and a member of the Royal Arcanum and is a volunteer of the Ridley Park Fire Company. He is a member of the Ridley Park Presbyterian Church.

Elton and his wife, Elizabeth, who is Past National President of the Ladies of the G.A.R., are the parents of two sons and one daughter. All told, they have seven grandchildren.

Elton Koch suffered a heart attack, following the banquet at Remembrance Day and passed away Sunday, November 20, 1983, at Warner Hospital, Gettysburg, PA

August 1979