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 Charles E. Kochenour Jr., 92
 November 05, 2008
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Charles Edward Kochenour Jr., 92, formerly Kalarama Orchards on Sand Springs Road, died Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008, in Stamford, Vt. He was a longtime educator and a well-known sports official.
Born in Harrisburg, Pa., on July 2, 1916, son of Charles E. and Lydia Mulligan Kochenour, he attended schools there and graduated in 1938 from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa., with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry. He was an officer of Alpha Chi Rho fraternity and earned varsity letters in soccer and track. He earned his master of science in education from the former North Adams State College in 1950 and continued postgraduate studies in chemistry and biology at the University of Connecticut, the University of Massachusetts, the State University of New York at Albany and the University of Minnesota. He was selected as a John Hay Fellow in summer 1962 to study humanities at Williams College.
He and his wife, the former Loanna Worden, moved to Williamstown in September 1947 to help establish Buxton School as a coeducational boarding school at the Warren estate. The family had resided at Kalarama Orchards since.
A Navy veteran of World War II, he enlisted in February 1942 as a chief petty officer and trained recruits at the Naval Training Center in San Diego and at the Farragut (Idaho) Naval Training Center. He graduated from Midshipman School at Notre Dame in May 1944 with the rank of ensign in the Reserve. After training in amphibious warfare at Little Creek, Va., he was assigned to the USS LST 939 as gunnery officer. His ship was engaged in the liberation of the Philippines and in the assault on Okinawa. At the time of the Japanese surrender, his ship was preparing for the invasion of the mainland. Mr. Kochenour, a lieutenant, junior grade, was awarded the American Defense, Japanese Occupation, Victory, China Service, Philippine Liberation, Pacific Theater with two battle stars medals and a commendation for meritorious conduct in combat. He was honorably released from active duty on Jan. 26, 1946, and transferred to retired Reserve status on Aug. 1, 1956.
Mr. Kochenour taught math and science for 40 years, retiring as senior class adviser and coordinator of the Mount Greylock Regional High School science department in 1981. His career began in September 1938 at the Longfellow School for Boys in College Park, Md., where he taught science courses and coached football and basketball. The following year, he joined the faculty of the Buxton School in Short Hills, N.J., teaching chemistry, biology and mathematics and coaching basketball and football.
At Buxton in Williamstown, in addition to his teaching and coaching, he was appointed acting director in 1949 and a member of the board of trustees for 1949 and 1950. While there, he dropped football from the athletic program and established soccer as a varsity sport for both boys and girls. He was a co-founder in 1949 of the Taconic Athletic League for small preparatory schools is Western Massachusetts, Southern Vermont and eastern New York. In 1952, he was a biology and mathematics teacher and assistant football coach at Blain Academy in Blairstown, N.J. The following year, he taught biology and science at Drury High School and driver's education at both Drury and for McCann Technical School's evening program.
Mr. Kochenour joined the faculty of the former Williamstown High School in 1956 to teach chemistry, physics and mathematics and be senior class adviser. After Mount Greylock opened in 1961, he continued to teach chemistry there and in the evening sessions of Lowell Technology Institute's engineering program from 1964 to 1968.
After retiring, he was supervisor of the Williamstown Health Department's bacteriological laboratory and as environmental inspector for the permitting and construction of wells and septic systems until 1997. Earlier, he had helped in the construction of Margaret Lindley Park and supervised the operation of the park for 12 years.
Mr. Kochenour was a sports official at the intercollegiate, prep school, high school and semi-professional levels from the 1950s into the 1970s. He officiated basketball, baseball, soccer and football throughout New England and New York. He was a member of the Berkshire County Football and the Berkshire County Basketball officials' associations, a charter member and past president of the Berkshire County Soccer Officials Association, a board member of the New England Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association and a member of the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association. He was awarded a certificate of merit in 1981 by the national Football Foundation Hall of Fame for his dedication and service to the game.
His wife, whom he married Sept. 7, 1940, in her home in Millburn, N.J., died Oct. 12, 1999.
He leaves a daughter Lynn Kochenour; two sons, Chris Kochenour and Lee Kochenour, and seven grandchildren.
FUNERAL NOTICE — At Mr. Kochenour's request, there will be no calling hours or service.
Memorial donations may be made through Flynn and Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, 521 West Main St., North Adams, MA 01247, to the Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice of Northern Berkshire.
| Buxton 53 - (and Maria Von Saher) - Sorry to be so belated "Koch" was definately the most cherished and influential teacher we had at Buxton. We are sure you miss him. We do! | | from: Peter Stubbins | on: 01-02-2012 |
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