Eung Bo Koh

The Reverend Benjamin Eung Bo Koh went to be with the Lord on April 24, 2023. He was born on January 7, 1931, in the village of Pungchun in what is now North Korea, to Doo Hee Koh and Doo Chill Lee. He was the seventh of nine children. He was a member of the Korean Air Force and fought in the Korean War. He studied theology and received his bachelor's degree from Yonsei University and his Master’s in Divinity from Chong Shin Theological Seminary. He married Minza Lee in 1961 and immigrated to the U.S. in 1969. Although their original destination was Minneapolis, the family settled in Oak Park, Illinois. He also lived in Wheeling and Arlington Heights before recently returning to Oak Park as a resident at Belmont Village.

Rev. Koh’s decision to serve the Lord came after a harrowing escape from behind communist forces in North Korea during the Korean War. He was a founding member of Dongsan Presbyterian Church in Seoul, Korea, and later in 1972, he founded Calvary Presbyterian Church in Oak Park, Illinois. As the membership grew, the church relocated to several different sites until the current and final location in Wheeling, Illinois. He was a charter member of the Midwest Presbytery of the Korean American Presbyterian Churches and the Korean American Presbyterian Church General Assembly; he served as chair of both organizations. He also served on the Board of Directors of numerous seminaries operated by the Korean American Presbyterian Church General Assembly. He retired as Emeritus Pastor from Calvary Presbyterian Church in 1997.

Rev. Koh is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Minza; his two children, Grace (Peter) Angelos and David (Julie) Koh; his five grandchildren, Meghan Angelos (Zach) Duey, Christian Angelos, Ben Koh, Audrey Angelos, and Claire Koh; and his great-grandson, Elliot Duey. He adored them all and was well loved by everyone. He is also survived by numerous nephews and nieces with whom he was very close.

A memorial service is scheduled for 7:00 pm on Monday, May 1, 2023, at Calvary Presbyterian Church, 704 McHenry Road, Wheeling, Illinois. A visitation is scheduled from 9:00 am to 10:00 am on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at Oehler Funeral Home, 2099 Miner Street, Des Plaines, Illinois. A short service at the funeral home will follow the visitation. A committal service will be held at Irving Park Cemetery, 7777 W Irving Park Road, Chicago, Illinois.

고응보 목사님께서는 2023년 4월 24일 향년 92세로 주님의 품에 안기셨습니다. 그는 1931년 1월 7일 황해도 풍천읍에서 고두희,이두칠 집사님의 6남 3녀 중 4남으로 출생하셨습니다. 그는 공군의 일원으로 한국 전쟁에 참전 하셨습니다. 연세대학 신과대학을 졸업하시고, 총신 신학대학원에서 목회학 석사 학위를 받으셨습니다. 그후 개혁 장로회 신학교에서 명예 신학박사 학위를 받으셨습니다. 1961년에 이민자씨와 결혼하여 1969년에 미국으로 이민하셔서 일리노이주 오크 파크에 정착하셨습니다.

한국전쟁시 고목사님은 공산군으로부터 참혹하게 탈출한 후에 주님을 섬기기로 결단하셨습니다. 1961년 서울에서 동산장로교회를 개척하셨고 이후 1972년에는 일리노이주 오크파크에 갈보리 장로 교회를 설립하셨습니다. 교인 수가 증가함에 따라, 다른 여러 장소로 이전하였으며, 마지막으로 현재 장소인 윌링에 위치하게 되었습니다. 그는 한인장로교회 중서부 노회와 한인 장로 교회 총회의 창립 회원이자, 두 기관의 의장직을 여러번 역임하셨습니다. 그는 또한 총회에서 운영하는 여러 신학교들의 이사장으로, 총장으로 많은 활동을 하셨습니다. 그는 1997년 갈보리 장로교회 원로목사로 은퇴 하셨습니다.

고별예배 (Memorial Service)

일시: 2023년 5월 1일 (월요일) 7:00 PM

장소: 갈보리 교회, 704 McHenry Road, Wheeling, IL

개인 문상 (Visitation)

일시: 2023년 5월 2일 (화요일) 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

장소: Oehler Funeral Home, 2099 Miner Street, Des Plaines, IL 60016

발인예배 (Funeral Service)

일시: 2023년 5월 2일 (화요일) 10:00 AM

장소: Oehler Funeral Home, 2099 Miner Street, Des Plaines, IL 60016

하관예배 (Committal Service)

일시: 2023년 5월 2일 (화요일) 11:30 AM

장소: Irving Park Cemetery, 7777 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago, IL

유가족

-장녀: 고혜령 Grace Angelos 사위: Peter Angelos

손녀: Meghan Angelos Duey 손주사위: Zach Duey; 증손자: Elliot Duey

손자: Christian Angelos; 손녀: Audrey Angelos

-장남: 고원일 David; 자부: Julie Koh

손자: Ben Koh; 손녀: Claire Koh

In lieu of flowers, a donation to Calvary Presbyterian Church is welcomed.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.OehlerFuneralHome.com for the Koh family.