Veteran comedy writer Tom Koch, who when he wasn't creating sketches for the legendary comedy team Bob and Ray invented a nonsensical, nearly impossible to play sport called squamish, has died at age 89.
The New York Times reports Koch died March 22 at his Laguna Woods, California, home. His son John says the cause was pulmonary failure.
Beginning in 1955 Koch created thousands of sketches for Bob and Ray's radio show.
He also wrote for such television programs as "The Lucy Show" and "My Mother the Car."
He invented squamish in 1965 for a Mad Magazine story lampooning college sports. It contained rules so complicated and silly he believed no one could really play.
It developed a cult following, however, with fans claiming to have played various versions.
