Frederick Koch, low-profile Koch brother, dies at 86

Frederick Koch, who kept a low profile as an arts benefactor rar than joining family oil business that became Koch Industries, has died, according to New York Times. He was 86. His friend and longtime assistant John Olsen told Times Koch died at his Manhattan home on Wednesday of heart failure.

Koch was oldest of four sons of Fred Koch of Wichita, Kansas. His high profile billionaire younger brors, Charles and David, ran Koch Industries and bankrolled libertarian causes, but Frederick rarely saw m and preferred to live in relative anonymity, according to Times.

Koch used his share of family wealth to support a career as a benefactor of arts and historic preservation. He amassed extensive collections of rare books, musical manuscripts and fine and decorative arts, including Marie Antoinette's canopied bed.

His collection of manor houses included a 150-room castle in Austria once owned by Archduke Franz Ferdinand, which Koch used for deces as a summer retreat.

In 1986, Koch stood beside Queen Elizabeth II at opening of new $2.8 million Swan ater he h built for Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon in England. queen thanked “generous benefactor” but didn't name him, respecting his wish for privacy.

Olsen said Koch's entire estate will be used to establish a foundation to promote study of literature, history and arts.

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