David Hamilton Koch was born on May 30, 1940 in Wichita, Kansas. He was the third of four sons of Mary and Fred Koch. His father was the founder of Koch Industries, a conglomerate that began as an oil refining business and grew into one of the largest privately held companies in the United States. David attended the prestigious Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts before going on to study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
After graduating from MIT, David joined Koch Industries, where he quickly rose through the ranks to become the executive vice president. Under his leadership, the company diversified its business interests to include oil refining, pipelines, and a wide range of other industries. David's business acumen and vision helped Koch Industries become a powerhouse in the energy sector, making him one of the wealthiest individuals in the world.
Despite his success in the business world, David was also known for his philanthropy and political activism. He and his brother Charles gave generously to a variety of causes, including medical research, education, and the arts. In 2008, David made headlines when he donated one hundred million dollars to The New York State Theater at Lincoln Center, which was subsequently renamed the David H. Koch Theater.
In 1996, David married Julia Margaret Flesher, with whom he has two sons, John and David Jr., and a daughter, Mary. In addition to his family and business interests, David was also passionate about sports, particularly basketball. He played college basketball at MIT, where he was known for his scoring prowess, averaging an impressive 21 points per game.
David H. Koch's influence extended far beyond the business world. His philanthropic efforts and political activism left a lasting impact on society, with his contributions to various causes continuing to benefit people around the world. Despite his passing in 2019, David's legacy lives on through the charitable organizations and institutions that he supported during his lifetime.