- Seated: Charles, Fred ,Mary, Fredrick
- Standing: David, William
There have been few American families that have been as politically influential than the Koch family. They own the second largest private corporation in America. The four Koch brothers are on the Fortune 500 list of the richest people in America.
Their desire to keep a low profile working behind the scenes has been breached by family quarrels that began in childhood. Birth order interactions were allowed to “work” themselves out by parents that had other interests that superseded their sons.
Bill the youngest said the situation at home was “more like the movie Lord of the Flies” that brought out the basic instincts of survival among the brothers. This allowed their birth orders full expression. Each birth order has its own expression and the quest for power over the other sibling continues into adulthood.
The Start: First two Generations
Fred C Koch was born September 23, 1900 to a penniless Dutch immigrant Harry Koch. Harry became a newspaper Owner in Quanah Texas a small town with less than 2,000 people. His older brother John Anton Koch was born in1898.
John followed into the family business but Fred took another course as the second son often does. Fred started college in Texas where he learned to box, this may have helped release his stress. He later went to MIT where he graduated with an engineering degree.
While at MIT he and a friend invented a thermal cracking process for turning crude oil to gasoline. They tried to sell the process to the American oil industry but were rejected. In 1930, Russia was looking to modernize their oil industry and welcomed their help.
The Russian government paid them well but this relationship did not last. Fred developed a hatred for Communism and was instrumental in the birth of the John Birch Society, an anti-Communist group based in southern California.
He and his partners now had the money to start their own oil refining business in the US. Number 2 birth orders make money so others will not tell them what to do. They don’t do it for the material things that money can buy. This was Fred and the start of Koch Enterprises.
Fred starts a family
Fred married Mary Robinson Koch at age 32, later than most men at the time. He and Mary had four sons. Frederick (Fred) 1933, Charles 1935, and the twins David and William (Bill) in 1940. Fred and his wife were more obsessed with his business and her busy social scene than raising the boys and spending family time together.
There was no silver spoon for these boys. Fred paid them only for chores and did not give them an allowance. When he was home he ruled the boys with an iron fist. Most of the time they were left alone to interact between each other.
The Boys Birth orders
Fredrick was the firstborn, Charles the second born but the twins born five years after Charles made up a “family” within the family. The twins interaction was greater between each other and less with their older brothers. The five year spacing gave them Double Birth Orders.
David, the oldest of the twins, was the third birth but the oldest in this “second family.” He has a 3/1 birth order. William (Bill) was the fourth born (19 minutes younger) but the second in this “second family” he has a 4/2 birth order.
When people have double birth orders they display characteristics for both birth orders but not at the same time. Unaware of their dual birth orders they may find it difficult to control which one is going to appear and this can cause stress. There is also sibling rivalry between these two. David has the superior birth order numbers, 3 & 1 and Bill a 4 & 2 will want to dethrone him.
Fredrick the Firstborn
Fredrick is the firstborn and was named after his father. As many fathers, Fred Sr. had plans for his firstborn son to follow in his footsteps and take over the family business. Sometimes the pressure is too great and the firstborn, he drops out and lets his younger sibling dethrone him and takes a different course.
This is devastating to the father, especially one so driven as Fred Senior. Fredrick is the shortest of the boys at six foot two. He was closest to his mother and shared her interest in the arts and was not athletic. He loved to act and sing. And he left home for boarding school after the 7th grade.
When he was in his 20’s many thought he was gay. In the 60’s the mention of Fredrick vanished from his father’s biography. Partially disinherited by his father he now spends his time and money restoring castles and historical houses.
He has never married and owns the private photo collection of George Platt Lynes and Jerome Zerbe focused on homoerotic imagery. He and youngest brother Bill were bought out of Koch Enterprises by their 2nd oldest brother Charles.
Charles the Second Born
Charles has all the characteristics of a second born. Just like his second born father he didn’t like to be told what to do. If there was any sibling rivalry it was short lived. His father picked him to succeed him by putting a lot of pressure on him as early as age nine.
Charles was rebellious and was kicked out of many private boarding schools starting at age 11. Many say he was a “bad boy” that turned good. In terms of birth order he now has to act the part of a firstborn but has the characteristics of a Second born just like his father.
When this is just an act he may go overboard in using his power. As a #2 material things are not his main interest but being free of authority is a high priority. He still lives in Wichita Kansas, eats in the company cafeteria and goes to work everyday even in his 70’s.
He, like his father is using his money for political change. And he is thought to be the money behind the “Tea Party” movement and the support of conservative candidates. Second borns like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett share this trait and they too will continue to get wealthier.
During the period that brother Bill brought a lawsuit against the company, Charles shunned his brother. You don’t tell a number 2 what to do!
David the Older Twin 3/1 birth order
David is 19 minutes older than his younger twin brother. The twins start another family group because they are five years younger than Charles. This gives David some firstborn and third born characteristics. Growing up he fought a lot with his younger twin.
He seemed to win more boxing matches so held off any dethroning by his younger twin. He and Charles are the brothers that run Koch Enterprises. And he would be drawn to Charles who is acting like a #1 which is part of David’s birth order.
As a #3 we see David’s charitable side and his interest in helping those in need on a larger scale. He gives to hospitals, theaters, art and education. Living in New York he is thought to be its wealthiest resident. Like his brother he feels he can change the world with an interest in politics.
In 1980 he ran as VP on the Libertarian ticket. He is Chairman of Americans for Prosperity a political action group that is very conservative. During the law suit brought by his younger twin David was torn between loyalty to his twin and his older brother Charles.
William the Younger Twin 4/2 birth order
William or Bill is the true baby in the family. He was the fourth born. He also has the number two birth order which would make him combative. Bill #4 was always jealous of Charles his #2 brother and even went to the same boarding school. Of course, he did not know that they shared a birth order.
Someone with a 4/2 birth order would be a combination of an impulsive child with the “don’t tell me what to do” of the #2. These two birth orders together can make a combustible mix. The baby #4 wants things and the #2 is ready to fight for them.
Bill has been known to be the “Playboy” of the group and has been married 3 times. He won the Americas Cup in Yacht racing in 1992 and is a collector if art and wine. Known to have a hair trigger temper and is quick to sue others if he feels cheated.
He and older brother Fredrick sued Charles and David after he thought the $800 million buyout was too small. They lost the case. During the trial he said he had mixed feelings. One was purely economic the other emotional attachment To the company.
The lawyer asked, “In the competition between the two halves of yourself what won out?” “Get the highest price” Bill said. This was an open display of his inner torment trying to balance his two birth orders. Unless he can understand that he really is two different people and begin to control his birth orders he will be forever unhappy.
Families and Birth Order
Some parents feel it is their fault that their children do not like each other and can’t get along. This is not their fault as you can see with the Koch brothers. Because of their great wealth their personalities were on display in open court.
Expressing their birth orders made them who they are. All people, if given enough time will have a life that matches their birth order. Those with double birth orders have a more difficult time balancing their life. It is their Life’s Fingerprint!
UpDate
On August 23, 2019 David Koch died after a long battle with prostate cancer. He was 79 years old.