- MARVIN HOWARD PATCHEN August 9, 1925 to May 26, 2011
Marvin was born in Pasadena, California.
Marvin was a Sergeant in the Marine Corp. during World War II from Dec 1942 until May 1946. While stationed at several bases in CA, he served as the Marine's Dance Band Music Director, playing a variety of instruments, including saxophone and clarinet.
After his military career, Marvin met his wife, Aletha Mabie at Pasadena City College, who along with Marvin, was majoring in music. Marvin started out to be a music teacher and decided he didn't like the sound of people playing out of tune. Marvin and Aletha were married on June 18, 1949 at Tremont Baptist Church in Pasadena, CA.
Marvin started out as a magazine advertising salesman in Pasadena and a public relations representative for La Verne Boyer Orchestra. He became an advertising sales manager and copywriter at three radio stations in three states. Then, back in Los Angeles County, he continued in advertising. He worked for Argus Publishing and independently. He contributed many stories and/or ads in more than 13 magazines. e.g. in Gun World, Popular Hot Rodding, Four Wheeler, Off-Road Magazine, Rod and Custom, Desert Magazine, Trailer Boats Magazine, Trailer Life, Plane and Pilot, and Model Car Science.
Marvin had a talent and passion for sports car racing. He raced in both the U.S. and Mexico in a Simca team in the 1950's. In 1954 Marvin, and his family, moved to West Covina, CA. Marvin was present during the forming of Go Kart Club of America in the late 1950's and became Executive Director in 1960. He was also Executive Director and Editor of "The Karter", authored "Karting Guide" in 1961 and was a team driver for Go Kart Manufacturing Co. Both Marvin and his wife participated in the Baja 500 and Baja 1000 races starting in 1968. In 1972 Marvin raced in the Mint 400 and in Mini Stock Cars in San Diego County at South Bay Speedway.
Marvin's aspiration was to fly. He co-owned a Fairchild PT-26 WW II plane, He owned a 58' Tripacer, 59' Cessna Skylane, 1966 260A Bellanca with a Beta Prop, Aero Resources J-2 Super Gyroplane, 66' America Champion Aerobatic Citabria, 69' Robertson Skylane, co-owned a Bell 47 G2 Helicopter and co-owned a powered hang glider. He flew for many people, including playing a key role in flying Eve Ewing, Baja Explorer, over a 2400 foot long rock alignment in Baja where the Summer Solstice at San Carlos Mesa in Baja, CA was later discovered with Marc Robbins. He assisted many people who were stranded and flew during the Baja races. Marvin created and published AERO Magazine, which was sent to anyone who owned a single engine plane throughout the U.S. In 1972 the family moved to Ramona, CA due to its airfield. He conceived and developed the TSC-2 Patchen Explorer, a fixed-wing plane which was a land based version of the Teal, providing a view of the world. The Explorer is now at the South African Air Force Museum. Marv's love was to travel, which included never seen before places, and in remote areas.
Marvin and Aletha traveled all over the western states, and in Mexico, in a Jeep J-20 with an Alaskan telescoping camper, which he had redesigned to fit their needs. A lifelong friendship developed and the most memorable trips were made with Utah pioneer, Harry Aleson and his wife, Dorothy. Rafting up the Colorado River, looking for hidden spots by planes, vehicles and furtherance via cards and letters. After traveling with Seniors Abroad in different countries, many hosts came to Marv's home to visit. Marvin's adventures began in Baja when he was in the Military & college. He and Aletha co- authored Baja By Land, Air & Sea covering all of their explorations and adventures using boats, trucks, four-wheelers, planes, helicopters, two canoes lashed together and many more, including hiking. Marv also wrote Baja Outpost which tells of their modest cabin, a welcome haven for Baja travelers.
Marvin and Aletha lived in the Coronado Cays, San Diego Country Estates and retired in Canebrake, with the hot tub, in the Anza Borrego desert. Marv led many hikes and jeep trips in the Badlands. He also had a permit to be a paleontologist and collect fossils. Marvin & Aletha's additional roving home was a 1990 4x4 Mitsubishi turbo diesel FUSO with a custom built camper and cargo area. They went on almost 112,000 miles of expeditions in the FUSO. Anyone Marvin met throughout his life was touched by his kindness, generosity, adventures, discoveries, inventions and playful sense of wittiness. "Marvin Patchen-Baja pioneer legend inspiration."
Mr. Patchen was preceded in death by his mother and father, Howard and Wilma Patchen, father and mother-in-law, Clifton and Sylvia Mabie, brother and sister-in-law, Robert "Rob" Mabie and Martha Mabie of Pasadena, CA and Robert "Bob" Berryhill of Laguna Beach, CA.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Aletha Patchen of Rancho Bernardo, CA, sister Patti Berryhill of Laguna Beach, CA, son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Jill Patchen and grandson Michael James Patchen of Claremont, CA, daughter and son-in-law Kate (Kathleen) and Chad Griffith and granddaughter Andrea Griffith of Poway, and grandson Sean Nemec and his family of Brunswick, GA. And many nieces and nephews, and their families, he deeply cared for.
A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, September 12th, 2011, 3:00 pm at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery at 1880 Cabrillo Memorial Dr. Pt. Loma, CA 92106. Picnic supper to follow from 3:30pm to 6:00pm at Westminster Park located at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3598 Talbot St., Pt. Loma, CA 92106 Please RSVP by September 4th, 2011 to marvpatchen@gmail.com Remembrance donations can be made to Amigos de los Californios 1831 Lendee Dr., Escondido, CA 92025.
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- Kathleen Ann ‘Kate' Griffith December 9, 1954 - February 15, 2020 San Diego
Kate passed away peacefully on February 15, 2020. She was a volunteer and founding member for 25 years with the SDPD Crisis Intervention team. Kate proudly wore V-001, which was retired by Chief William Landsdowne in a private police ceremony. Kate always put others before herself, finding a way to help you in any crisis. Kate enjoyed jet-skiing and traveling with her husband, Chad. Preceded in death by parents, Marvin and Aletha, and her beloved dogs, Max, Jenny, and Sophie. She is survived by Chad; daughter, Andrea; brother, Mike (Jill) (MJ), and Xena, her beloved dog. RIP My Beautiful Wife, Mother, and Best Friend to all.
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1954 - 2020 (65 years)
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