Eugene And Ruth Kosche

Shaftsbury, VT – Eugene R. “Gene” Kosche, 82, and his wife Ruth S. Kosche, 92, residents of Route 7A, Shaftsbury, VT, died Monday, January 17, 2011, as a result of a structure fire at their residence.
Born in Pittsfield, MA, on May 11, 1918, Ruth was the daughter of the late John F. and Hilda (Hornig) Schumacher.  Also born in Pittsfield, on October 7, 1928, Gene was the son of the late Albert A. and Madeline (Vogel) Kosche. They both received their education in the Pittsfield schools and were graduates of Pittsfield High School.
Gene was a veteran of the Korean Conflict where he served in the U.S. Army as a member of the Military Police.
Gene was first employed as an apprentice machinist at May Engineering Company in Pittsfield.  He later left to work at the Eaton Paper Company where he met Ruth, and they were married at the Zion Lutheran Church in Pittsfield on May 11, 1958.
Shortly thereafter Gene accepted a position at the Bennington Brush Company in Bennington, VT, where he worked for several years as Superintendent.  After leaving Bennington Brush he accepted the position of Curator of Military and Mechanical Arts at the Bennington Museum until his retirement in 1992. Gene will be remembered by many for his articles that appeared in the Bennington Banner during his years at the Museum.
Gene and Ruth were avid students of nature and were both long time members of the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS), the Audubon Society and the World Wildlife Foundation.
Devout members of the Shaftsbury United Methodist Church, Gene was a member of the Methodist Men’s Group, served as lay leader and speaker, as Trustee and member of the Administrative Board and on the planning committees for the construction of the Michael Paulin Room and the restoration of the Church’s stained glass windows.  Ruth was a member and Treasurer of the United Methodist Women at the Church, served as the Church financial secretary, taught Sunday school and sang in the Church choir.
Gene and Ruth shared many interests together including antique cars and coin collecting. They belonged to the H. H. Franklin Club, a group of  Franklin car enthusiasts. They both enjoyed touring in their vintage Franklin Olympic.  Gene served as officer of the nation-wide club in the late 1970s. Ruth and Gene were members of the Green Mountain Car Club where Gene was a former President, and also they were long-time members of the Battenkill Coin Club, where Ruth was a past Treasurer and Gene was past President.
Gene was a resource for many people on issues involving local, state and national history.  He had been active in the Shaftsbury Historical Society for many years.  He belonged to the Friends of Eagle Square, was an amateur astronomer, repaired antique clocks, volunteered at the Bennington Free Library and enjoyed antiques, especially tools, firearms and cars.  He looked forward to his musket demonstrations at both the Peter Mattison Tavern and for the fifth grade class at the Shaftsbury Elementary School when they were studying life in colonial America.
Ruth enjoyed time spent in her raspberry patch making jams and jellies and selling them at the Farmers Market, her flower garden, both crossword and jigsaw puzzles, crocheting, sewing and bowling in her younger years.
Together they made many trips to the Manchester Music Festival to listen to classical music, to see plays at the Dorset Playhouse and to enjoy events at the Southern Vermont Art Center.
Ruth and Gene are survived by their sons and daughters-in-law, Stephen E. and Jean M. Kosche and David A. and Lisa J. Kosche, all of Shaftsbury,  their grandchildren, Vanessa and husband Howard Amidon, Ashley and Elizabeth Kosche, their great-grandson, Austin, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Ruth is also survived by a sister, Gladys Donohue of  Texas, and Gene is survived by a sister, Beverly Jarrett of Pittsfield. Gene was pre-deceased by a brother, Albert A. Kosche Jr.
Funeral services celebrating the lives of Ruth and Gene  Kosche will be held from the Shaftsbury United Methodist Church on Saturday, January 22, at 11 am with Rev. Matthew Bowles, pastor, and Rev. Deborah Estey, former pastor, officiating.
Friends may call at the Mahar & Son Funeral Home in Bennington on Friday from 3 to 7 pm. Burial will take place in the family lot in Center Shaftsbury Cemetery.
Should friends desire, contributions in memory of Eugene and Ruth Kosche may be made to the Shaftsbury United Methodist Church, the Shaftsbury Fire Department, V.I.N.S. or the Bennington Museum through the office of the Mahar & Son Funeral Home, 628 Main Street, Bennington, VT,  05201.
Guest book condolences may be made at www.maharandsonfuneralhome.net.