David H. Koch: 1940 — 2019

The directors and staff of the Cato Institute, along with friends of liberty throughout the world, are saddened by the passing of David Koch on August 23 at the age of 79.

David’s accomplishments as a businessman and philanthropist were most impressive. But, first and foremost, we remember and admire him for his efforts to advance liberty in the United States and around the world, and his steadfast dedication to libertarian principles.

David was a director emeritus of Cato, having served on our board of directors for nearly 30 years. Over this time, the Institute, the Cato community, and our work benefited greatly from his service, insight, generosity, and example. We will not forget the many ways in which he contributed to our mission.

He was motivated by a firm belief that liberty is the means to human flourishing, which would allow every individual to live a prosperous, meaningful life in a country and world at peace. He also believed strongly that the rights granted to us by nature and protected by the Constitution cannot be denied to any American. Because of the deteriorating state of our national discourse, David often bore unwarranted public criticism. But he did so with dignity, and the fact that this did not deter him from his work in advancing freedom merits great respect from all of us.

Cato senior fellow Walter Olson shares how David’s generosity not only touched many lives but touched those lives in numerous ways:

“When I resolved to sample New York City’s high culture in my 30s on a modest salary, I discovered affordable performing arts at Lincoln Center, already then the object of generosity that was eventually to lead to the renaming of the David H. Koch Theater. It gave me joy.

And everywhere I went in the liberty movement over 40 years, where there was a good cause, David Koch seemed to be somewhere in the background giving support, whether it was economic liberty, peace between nations, free trade, freedom to marry, or free speech. It gave me inspiration.

His death leaves the world poorer.”

We have no doubt that David’s partnership will be missed by so many of the causes to which he dedicated himself, not least of which is the cause of liberty. But of course, he will be missed most of all by his family, to whom we extend our heartfelt sympathy.