Billionaire conservative donor David Koch dead at 79

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - David Koch, who long with his elder brother and fellow billionaire fossil fuel industrialist Charles, was a major conservative political donor, has died at age 79.

Charles Koch announced the death of his brother in a statement, saying "It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my brother David."

"While this is a very sad day for us all, I want you to know that David was proud of the extraordinary work you all have done to make Koch Industries the successful company that it is today. He will be greatly missed, but never forgotten," he said.

David Koch was a hallmark conservative political donor and philanthropist donating millions to cancer research and establishing the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

He was diagnosed 27 years ago with advanced prostate cancer and at the time given a grim prognosis, Charles Koch said.

"David liked to say that a combination of brilliant doctors, state-of-the-art medications and his own stubbornness kept the cancer at bay," he said in a statement that did not give the place or time of his brother's death.

But while David Koch, who stepped down from Koch Industries in 2018, spent millions on cancer research, the arts and humanities, he and his brother are best known for their hardline libertarianism and efforts to move America's political landscape in a decidedly conservative manner through their political advocacy networks.

Among their efforts were attempts to undermined mass transit, bolster climate change denial, and propelling the rise of the libertarian Tea Party movement that arose during former President Barack Obama.

Koch Industries is heavily involved in the fossil fuel industry.

David Koch is survived by his wife Julia and their three children.