Robert Jordan Marchel

Dear friend Robert Jordan Marchel passed away March 21, 2014, at Sacred Heart Medical Center, Spokane, Wash., surrounded by friends.

“RJ” as he was known to his Boundary County friends, was born September 12, 1935 in Ogden, Utah, to Oleta and Dr. Robert K. Marchel. RJ lived in Salt Lake City and graduated from South High School. He was a life long teacher, and taught sixth grade in Colorado and Alaska professionally. He moved to Bonners Ferry with his parents in 1976.

R.J. was a true individual. His zest for life was infectious. Anyone who knew R.J. recognized him by his bright eyes, big grin, gray, threadbare T-shirt, black pants and his red bandana that he proudly wore on his head. He called it his badge of honor.

He was a brilliant man who loved to read, write, sing, philosophize, and drink beer. He loved music of all genres, but was particularly smitten with classical music.

RJ shared his passion for “classic” music and hosted Class Tracks on the local radio station for 14 years. Class Tracks aired on Sunday mornings from 7-10 a.m.

As many will recall, R.J.’s show was an eclectic mix of classic music, “music that was too good to die,” poetry readings, and background information on the artists.

It would not be unusual to hear Beethoven,The Beatles, Ravi Shankar and Willie Nelson all on one show.

Each show had a theme and RJ was a master at weaving together the music, poetry, readings, and musings so that by the end of the show you felt you had been on a journey.

He spent many hours each week preparing for the Sunday show, and he considered it an honor to do this show each week. It was his pride and joy to present this to the community that he so dearly loved.

R.J. is survived by his brother James Marchel, of Salt Lake City, as well as his dear friends in Boundary County. R.J. was a friend to many, and enemy to none. A celebration of his life will be held later this summer.