Vicky A. Koch passed away on October 12th, 2010, after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer.
She was born October 28th, 1944, to Pierre Peres and Dawn Gallagher (Peres) Callison in Fort Benton, Montana and was baptized in the First Christian Church of Fort Benton.
Vicky graduated from Fort Benton High School in 1962 and Kinman Business University in 1964. While attending KBU, she was elected President of Sigma Chi Business Sorority. Vicky worked for a variety of employers, including the Central Intelligence Agency; B.J. Carney Company, where she developed the first printed pricing catalog on their offset press; the Spokane Bon Marche, where she participated in the development and installation of the first skywalk in downtown Spokane; and the Boeing Company, where she participated in the creation of the printed material that accompanied the first Boeing 747 to the Paris Air Show.
The majority of her professional career was spent at the Montana Department of Transportation, where she remained for 37 years. Vicky was known for her philosophy of: “She thought she could, so she did”. While employed at MDT, she became one of the first women in Montana to actually perform work on highway construction projects, where she conducted inspections to ensure that contractor employees were receiving the correct pay and were not being subjected to discriminatory behaviors. During the last six years of her employment at MDT, she was the Bureau Chief of the Civil Rights Bureau, and she served a brief stint as Acting Human Resources Administrator. As the Bureau Chief, she simultaneously supervised six different programs – all designed to assure women and minorities were free from discrimination in the areas of wages, small business development and employment – both at MDT and in the statewide highway construction industry. Vicky helped all seven Indian reservations develop training programs related to the highway construction industry and was instrumental in obtaining federal grants to support the reservation programs. While employed at MDT, Vicky was also involved in providing “real world” work training opportunities to clients of the Career Training Institute. As a result of her involvement in the CTI program, numerous CTI graduates were able to obtain employment at MDT or other State Agencies (many of those graduates are now in mid or upper management positions). She always thought she could, so she just did; she tried to instill that philosophy in others.
Vicky developed many MDT civil rights and labor compliance programs that were adopted on a national level by other states and FHWA (National Federal Highway Administration). Those programs are still in place today. She chaired numerous national civil rights related committees and participated in dozens of others. Vicky received several State and National Federal Highway Administration awards which included: Outstanding Federal Trainer, FHWA Outstanding DBE Mentor and two outstanding Governor’s State Employee awards.
After she retired from MDT, Vicky went back to work on a part time basis for the Montana Human Rights Bureau, again conducting investigations to determine if Montana’s citizens were being subjected to discrimination.
When Vicky was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, her philosophy stayed with her, and she spent hours sewing cancer hats for other cancer patients, arranging entertainment for the patients in the cancer center, making sure that everyone in the cancer center had a good laugh, whenever they were there on her chemo days, and participating in advertising benefits for the cancer center. (She thought she could, so she did!)
Vicky enjoyed gardening, reading, sewing and walking her many beloved dogs in the great outdoors.
Survivors include her husband Eugene Koch, whom she married in February 1981; two wonderful stepdaughters – who she treated as her own – Michele Blair (Scott) of Talent, Oregon, Pamela Christensen (Eric) of Seattle and three grandsons Michael, Jamie and Alex. She is also survived by her mother, Dawn Callison; brothers, Rusty Peres (Teresa) of Great Falls, Kelly Peres(Vicki) of Juneau and Wayne Callison of Great Falls, along with several nieces and nephews and her special private nurse, Minnie Pearl. She is preceded in death by her father Pierre Peres and stepfather Tom Callison.
The family would like to thank Vicky’s very special friends who provided support and encouragement every day: Steve Garrison, Diane Tordale, Sandy and Dick Turner, Barbara Martin, DD Clearman, Alice Flesche, and Mike Buckley.
Many thanks are extended to Dr. Tom Weiner, who is more than an oncologist; he became a friend and, above all, a loving caring person, who made Vicky feel like she was his only patient. There are no words of thanks that are big enough to extend to the cancer center’s band of angels – Dr. Weiner’s support staff of nurses and technicians. If there ever was a group of angels on this earth, it is these folks.
The family requests that you follow Vicky’s lifelong philosophy – If you believe you can do it – do it. Support the St. Peter’s Hospital Cancer Treatment Center in any way you can, and assist those people, who, through no fault of their own, are down on their luck.
Services will be held Saturday, October 16th, 2010 at 11:00 a.m., at the Evangelical Covenant Church, 800 N. Hoback, Helena, MT and also on Tuesday, October 19th, 2010 at the Fort Benton First Christian Church, 1201 Main Street, Fort Benton, MT at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to St. Peter’s Cancer Treatment Center, C/O St. Peter’s Hospital Foundation 2475 E. Broadway Street Helena, MT 59601 Hospice of St. Peter’s 2475 Broadway Street Helena, MT 59601, or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network 2141 Rosecrans Avenue Suite 7000, El Segundo, CA 90245. Condolences may be given to the family by visiting www.aswfuneralhome.com.
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Ed Morris says
I cannot remember when I met Vicky. She’s one of those folks who you feel you’ve always known, from the first moment you meet. We attended countless regional and national Civil Rights Confereneces and Vicky could always be depended upon to take leadership roles in planning or presenting on virtually every Civil Rights program or initiative. She served on a series of national OJT/SS contract review and selection panels. Her laughter was infectious, and her questions were direct and could be depended upon to hit the nerve for which it was aimed. She was as fearless as she was compassionate and her openness, honesty, candor and courage set standards to which we all should aspire.
Richard says
Vicky’s family can truly be proud of Vicky. Many times I called her for advice. She never hesitated to help our tribe with their concerns while she was emplyed with MDTA. She was valuable. I witnessed her concern for the DBE, women, and minorities, especially when she came to our reservation and corrected any problems that we encountered. Vicky wasn’t afraid to do her job. The best part was that she was fair to everyone on the construction sites. What a beautiful person. I for one will always remember her. I know her road to Heaven was paved with honor.
Richard Morrison
Past Compliance Officer for the Northern Cheyenne
T. E. R. O.
Lori Dillon says
I never had the privelege of meeting Vicky, but we share a deep love of four very special people. Gene, even though we’ve never met, I extend to you loving arms and pray that God will bring you His strength and comfort. Pam, you are always in my heart and prayers, especially right now. I’m proud of you for being there for her, it will have an eternal result.
With Love,
Lori
Patricia A Hogan says
I am so sad to hear Vicky has passed. I remember seeing Vicky around MDT the summer I worked in Helena, and I am sure I spoke to her on at least one occassion about some issue. Although I do not remember what that issue was, I remember her with joy, and I join her loved ones in mourning her untimely passing. May she rest in peace.
Ron & Judy Bauer says
What a “woman” – we will miss you Vicky! Judy’s time with you at MDT and Ron’s time with you for personal and business work with contractors. Your achievements and dedication inspire many of us! Vicky – you will be missed. Our condolances to Gene and family & many friends.
Barb Morin says
Eugene and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I was surprised to read of Vicky’s passing. I had some great talks with her during my time at MDT. She will be sadly missed
Allen Jones says
I knew Vicki from my time at the MDOT. Always a smile, always busy. Thinking of you, Gene.