In Remembrance: Matan Aryeh Koch ’02 Died on April 24 2026

We are devastated to share that our dear son, brother, uncle, and friend Matan Aryeh Koch has died after a valiant battle with stomach cancer, a few hours before Shabbat on Friday afternoon, April 24, 2026, the 7th of Iyyar 5786. He was 44 years old.

Matan was a gift to all of us, a person of extraordinary mind, heart, and spirit, even as his body moved through a world not built for it.

He lived with a rare combination of intellect, love, and hope, and the messages so many of you have sent are a reflection of the impact he had on your lives.

His condition declined far more quickly than he, and we, had hoped. Ever optimistic, he pushed to squeeze every drop of love and connection and intellectual engagement out of life. Even as options narrowed, Matan remained focused on staying present and connected to the people he loved, and he was able to say goodbye to so many of us. We ensured his final days were spent seeing and hearing your messages of love.

We are deeply grateful for the extraordinary generosity of more than 1,100 of you who supported the GoFundMe. Your contributions made it possible to keep Matan safe, comfortable, and surrounded by love. They also gave him peace of mind. Matan always carried a deep desire not to be a burden, though he never was, and your support helped ease his concerns about having to entrust others with his care and affairs.

We are helping to carry out his wishes, including a funeral service with his dear Ikar community in Los Angeles, and bringing him home to be buried with our father and extended family in New Milford, Connecticut. 

Matan has asked that donations be made to IKAR to support those in urgent need, and to the United Spinal Association, where a fund is being set up in his honor to support their workforce efforts. 

Thank you for loving him with us.

—Submitted by the family.