# David Koch

> American billionaire heir and businessman (1940–2019)

**Wikidata**: [Q1174641](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1174641)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Koch)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/david-koch

## Summary
David Koch was an American billionaire heir and businessman (1940–2019), best known as a co-founder of Koch Industries, one of the largest privately held companies in the United States. He played a key role in shaping the company’s growth across industries including petroleum, chemicals, and enterprise software.

## Biography
- Born: May 3, 1940, in Wichita, Kansas, USA
- Nationality: American
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Known for: Co-founding Koch Industries and leading its expansion into diverse sectors
- Employer(s): Koch Industries (founder and major shareholder)
- Field(s): Business, industrial conglomerates, petroleum, chemicals, enterprise software

## Contributions
- **Koch Industries**: Co-founded in 1940 with his father, Fred Chase Koch, and later became a major shareholder and key decision-maker. The company grew into a diversified conglomerate with subsidiaries like Georgia-Pacific, Invista, and Infor Global Solutions.
- **Industrial Leadership**: Played a pivotal role in expanding Koch Industries into petroleum refining, chemical production, and enterprise software, positioning it as the second-largest privately held company in the U.S.
- **Philanthropy**: Established the David H. Koch Foundation, focusing on education, health, and environmental initiatives, though his political activism was more controversial.

## FAQs
**What was David Koch’s primary business contribution?**
David Koch co-founded Koch Industries and led its growth into a diversified conglomerate, specializing in petroleum, chemicals, and enterprise software. His leadership helped establish the company as a major player in multiple industries.

**Where did David Koch study?**
He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

**What industries did Koch Industries operate in?**
Koch Industries operated in petroleum refining, chemical production, wood pulp and paper, fiber and resin manufacturing, and enterprise software.

**What was the David H. Koch Foundation’s focus?**
The foundation supported education, health, and environmental causes, though David Koch’s political activism was more widely known.

**How did David Koch influence the business world?**
As a major shareholder and decision-maker at Koch Industries, he shaped the company’s expansion into key sectors and positioned it as a leading private enterprise in the U.S.

## Why They Matter
David Koch’s legacy is deeply tied to Koch Industries, which became a cornerstone of the U.S. industrial economy. His leadership in diversifying the company’s operations—from petroleum to enterprise software—reflected broader trends in industrial conglomerates. While his philanthropic efforts were notable, his political activism, particularly his support for conservative causes, made him a polarizing figure. Koch Industries’ influence extended globally, with subsidiaries operating in multiple countries. His work underscored the role of private enterprise in shaping economic and industrial landscapes.

## Notable For
- Co-founder of Koch Industries, the second-largest privately held company in the U.S.
- Key figure in expanding Koch Industries into petroleum, chemicals, and enterprise software.
- Major shareholder and decision-maker at Koch Industries for decades.
- Founder of the David H. Koch Foundation, focusing on education and health.
- Played a significant role in the growth of Georgia-Pacific, Invista, and Infor Global Solutions.
- Influenced the structure of industrial conglomerates in the U.S.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
David Koch was born on May 3, 1940, in Wichita, Kansas, USA. He attended Deerfield Academy, an independent boarding and day school in Massachusetts, before earning a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His education laid the foundation for his later career in industrial leadership.

### Career and Koch Industries
David Koch co-founded Koch Industries in 1940 with his father, Fred Chase Koch, an American chemical engineer and entrepreneur. The company initially focused on oil refining and chemical production before expanding into wood pulp and paper, fiber and resin manufacturing, and enterprise software. Under David Koch’s leadership, Koch Industries grew into a diversified conglomerate with key subsidiaries including Georgia-Pacific, Invista, and Infor Global Solutions.

### Leadership and Expansion
As a major shareholder and decision-maker, David Koch played a pivotal role in Koch Industries’ expansion. He oversaw the company’s entry into new sectors, positioning it as a leader in petroleum refining, chemical production, and enterprise software. His strategic decisions helped establish Koch Industries as the second-largest privately held company in the U.S.

### Philanthropy and Political Activism
David Koch founded the David H. Koch Foundation, which focused on education, health, and environmental initiatives. However, he was more widely known for his political activism, particularly his support for conservative causes. His philanthropic efforts, while significant, were often overshadowed by his controversial political views.

### Legacy and Influence
David Koch’s legacy is deeply tied to Koch Industries, which remains a major player in the U.S. industrial economy. His leadership in diversifying the company’s operations reflected broader trends in industrial conglomerates. While his philanthropic work was notable, his political activism made him a polarizing figure. Koch Industries’ influence extended globally, with subsidiaries operating in multiple countries. His work underscored the role of private enterprise in shaping economic and industrial landscapes.

### Affiliations and Connections
David Koch was affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he earned his degree. He also worked with Deerfield Academy, an independent boarding and day school in Massachusetts. His connections to these institutions highlighted his background in engineering and education.

### Death and Memorial
David Koch passed away on August 23, 2019. His death was widely reported in major news outlets, including the New York Post, CNN, and CNBC. His legacy continues to be discussed in the context of his business achievements and political influence.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/23/us/david-koch-dead.html)
2. Czech National Authority Database
3. [David H. Koch Elected a Trustee at The Metropolitan Museum of Art - The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 2008](https://www.metmuseum.org/press-releases/david-h-koch-elected-a-trustee-at-the-metropolitan-museum-of-art-2008-news)
4. [Source](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/04/23/koch-family-fred-frederick-charles-david-and-bill/26029549/)
5. [Source](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/an-inside-look-at-how-koch-industries-does-business/2017/07/01/2db9667a-5699-11e7-b38e-35fd8e0c288f_story.html)
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. [Source](http://freakonomics.com/podcast/why-hate-koch-brothers-part-1/)
8. [Source](http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/infrastructure/a17558/koch-industries-inside-story/)
9. Munzinger Personen
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. BBC Things
12. [The World's Billionaires. 2019](https://www.forbes.com/billionaires/list/;5/#version:static)
13. Quora