{"id":9054,"date":"2025-02-04T15:01:41","date_gmt":"2025-02-04T23:01:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/daviddilworth.com\/pol\/?p=9054"},"modified":"2026-03-19T13:46:36","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T20:46:36","slug":"monsignor-benjamin-racing-marchand-obituary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/daviddilworth.com\/pol\/monsignor-benjamin-racing-marchand-obituary\/","title":{"rendered":"Senator Benjamin “Racing” Marchand – Obituary"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Ben

Ben making a MotoGP Bike Look Good<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

My Favorite Marchand<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Generous Gentleman, Genetically-Happy Prankster, world class Writer, world traveler, leading edge Road racing and Flying afficianado, Career Electrician and\u00a0 lifelong bachelor Ben Marchand<\/strong> passed away bravely fighting Lung cancer this week – leaving behind a plethora of wonderfully compassionate women<\/strong>, hearty friends<\/strong> and a widespread wake of unforgettably thoughtful kindnesses.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Courteous – European Manners<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Lori

Lori L & Ben (in Tails!) for a Wedding<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

Rarely known to emit epithets, Ben commanded an uncommon display of European manners, courtesy and thoughtfulness. His graciousness<\/strong> was as comfortably home among San Francisco aristocrats, as he was in charming all he met in Paris and Roma. As example – he never forgot to send friends a Birthday Card with a crisp new Two-Dollar bill<\/strong> ! A better example was his caring kindness to his elderly neighbor Maureen. Ben spent every Thanksgiving with her for the last decade of her life – even though she was rather grumpy.<\/p>\n

On the other hand when some Jackass tried to bully him or his friends – Ben was the guy you wanted in your corner.<\/strong> One evening while riding bicycles on a Pebble Beach golf course cart-trail a neighbor yelled at us. Ben stopped to eloquently eviscerate the fellow, calmly.<\/p>\n

He finished with “Don’t let this happen again – because . . .<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

— Next Time <\/em>I’ll tell you to Fuck Off<\/em><\/strong>.<\/em>“<\/p>\n

For the next few minutes until we got out of earshot, it was difficult for me to ride without falling off\u00a0 – as I was trying so hard to stifle a belly laugh. When we stopped, tumbling off our bikes, we literally rolled on the ground with laughter.<\/p>\n

As another (unofficial) brother James Smith put it “Ben was an endearing ad lib impromptu open mic standup comedian every single day of his life. The world was his stage.<\/strong><\/em>”<\/p>\n

\"Ben

Ben Award from Decent Docent Brotherhood<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

Generous<\/strong>
\nBen served as a Decent Docent at An\u00f2 Nuevo<\/strong> State Park monthly for 40 years<\/strong>, annually buying entire sets of passes to his official guided tour so he could host his friends.<\/p>\n

For several years Ben reserved an entire parking lot camping area at Yosemite’s Tuolumne Meadows<\/a> inviting his adventurously interesting friends to join in for a weekend of shared amusements. And it\u00a0 should be no surprise how he was (allegedly) a humble, but enthusiastic orgasm donor when situations arose.<\/p>\n

Once when I was moving, he drove several hours down to Pacific Grove from Healdsburg to help with the enormous task. Later, however many times I tried, he would not let me repay the favor by helping him organize his Healdsburg manse. The one “blessed” with woodpeckers.<\/p>\n

Education, Formal<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Senator

Monsieur Marchand<\/strong> – York Yearbook -1973-ish<\/p><\/div>\n

Ben perpetually radiated charm. One lovely woman at his Memorial admitted she’d had a crush on him in Junior High – that never diminished. We also met at Pacific Grove Junior High School and grew into goofy accomplices. (My father as a West Point student knew Ben’s grandfather who was a revered leader at the esteemed academy).<\/p>\n

Ben later attended & excelled in almost everything at York <\/a>(a private High School in Monterey) <\/a>as a live-in student in the on-site Dormitories and later in the infamous “Pink House” in Pacific Grove<\/a>. He didn’t mind at all that his York Dormitory was only walking distance to the world renowned Laguna Seca race track<\/a>, where we sometimes snuck on to the track for some “unofficial” racing. Later he attended University of San Francisco – a Jesuit School<\/a> – where he made more wonderful, lifelong friends; also in the slightly goofy (but in a healthy way) realm.<\/p>\n

Writer<\/strong>
\nBen’s friends were honored recipients of his extraordinary writing skills. I compared it to Hunter S. Thompson’s Gonzo style<\/a>. Sadly for so many readers, Ben could never be persuaded to share his writing genius with the wider world. Though maybe we should collect a bunch of his poignant prose into a book\u00a0 . . .<\/p>\n

Racing<\/strong>
\nBen was known for a racing car passion possibly inspired or resulting from an early teen Germany sojourn, where he returned with some Faller HO racing Slot Cars. They were intended to compete with us unsophisticated Americans racing the lowly stock Aurora brand.<\/a> (WTF? I just learned our cars were never “HO” size (1\/87 scale), they were actually “O” (1\/76) and “S” (1\/64) sizes!)<\/p>\n

\"Ben

Ben assisting Electric Motorcycle Babes with their Posture<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

He favored road<\/strong><\/em> racing — Formula One\/Grand Prix,<\/a> and Can-Am (“No rules”)<\/a> racing. None of that candy-ass “left turn only,” roundy-round Indy cars & NASCAR.<\/p>\n

He was quietly pleased that his initials “BRM” invoked\u00a0 the esteemed British Racing team<\/a>.\u00a0 As long as it was world class road racing<\/a> (or flying) he enjoyed it – Moto GP<\/a>, Reno Air Races<\/a>, etc.<\/p>\n

\"Racing

Racing Flip – (Ben sent this: Highly skilled Fun with a touch of Rude – Ben’s Favorite Humor. )<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

When his mother died, he inherited his Grandmother’s ranch (Rancho Relaxo) in Upper Healdsburg (Lower Geyserville), near Sonoma International racetrack – “Sears Point<\/a>.” Making it easy for him to enjoy those races.<\/p>\n

On his last visit to Sicilia<\/a>,<\/strong> he met one of the principals of the Targa Florio<\/a><\/strong> race – the last of the world’s longest true public-road Road-Races. They spent hours sharing racing stories. He was amazed how the gentleman was just as thrilled to meet him – and invited him back.<\/p>\n

\"Jacky

Jacky Ickx & Ben<\/strong> 2024<\/p><\/div>\n

Not long after the US Formula One Grand Prix race was moved to Texas in 2012,\u00a0Ben spent a load of cash to attend it. Reported back it was the worst track ever & complete waste of time.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, he recently met Jacky Ickx, one of history’s great racing drivers<\/a> from the 1970’s era when we were all novice racing drivers . . .<\/p>\n

A few years ago Ben splurged on a fun Porsche Cayman<\/strong>. But as he humbly explained “merely the Rubber (floor) mats version.”<\/p>\n

Adventures<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Four

Four Amigos Setting off to Yosemite<\/strong> – on bikes. Taking the “shortcut” through Big Sur, to Earlimart, Kerman – then 12 miles UP to Yosemite’s South Gate. Ben is 2nd from right.<\/p><\/div>\n

While at York, four of us rode 10-speed bicycles from Pacific Grove headed to Yosemite, camping along the way. With Ben riding his Pugeot<\/a>, We started in the “wrong” direction (taking the scenic route) by zooming South along Big Sur’s magnificent, mountainous coast<\/a> and up over (unpaved at that time) Nacimiento grade. The start of a grand adventure. Laughing all the way . . .<\/p>\n

Not all his adventures ended in fun. While at York high school he crashed a friend’s Norton 750 motorcycle<\/a> at over 100mph on the road behind school – the one leading to Laguna Seca’s track. It took him a long time to recover from those wounds. His electric smile however, never dimmed.<\/p>\n

\"Ben

Ben – Decent Docent Mode<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

Athlete<\/strong>
\nAlways an front row athlete, Ben was a team leading cross-country runner at York school which was known for its tortuously steep course. He later went to the Olympic tryouts for the Bobsled<\/a> team as a Sprinter\/Pusher, and only missed making the team by hundredths of a second.<\/p>\n

Traveler<\/strong>
\nAn easy world traveler, Ben loved France & Italy – and oh so many other cultures and places. Always ready to help friends find the best places to visit. His recent sojourns were to Japan, Hawaii & Toronto with girlfriend Christine “Dung” Tran and her family.<\/p>\n

Professional Electrician<\/strong>
\nNot long ago, Ben retired from a dedicated career as member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers<\/a>. He served well as IBEW Dispatcher – delivered with “no-nonsense.” He made strong, fast friends and attended IBEW events across the country as recently as a year ago.<\/p>\n

\"Ben

Ben courteously assisting women<\/strong> to stand up straight<\/p><\/div>\n

Music – and Cultcha<\/strong>
\nBen favored films by Kurosawa<\/a> and Preston Sturges<\/a>, relished Shakespeare at Santa Cruz,<\/a> Hardly Strictly Bluegrass<\/a> in Golden Gate Park, Mark Twain’s humor<\/a>, New Yorker magazine<\/a>, and for many decades religiously attended every Grateful Dead concert he could. (Some photographs here might give you a hint of the wide range of friends Ben cultivated and kept smiling.)<\/p>\n

Politics<\/strong>
\nWhile I rarely heard \"ilBen discuss candidate politics, he did raise his hand at least once to warn friends about a major Con-man<\/a>. While he did not take this photograph, he likely created the apt caption and assembled it. In any case he did mention printing some 2,000 of these “il Douch\u00e8<\/a>” postcards to give away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He also asked my thoughts on moving to Canada if something horrible like that happened. I’m imagining in his last moments he was at least momentarily grateful to avoid enduring the Orange Wrecking Ball<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Philosopher<\/strong>
\nBen once said “Used to be guys who drank, had a lot of style, panache. Unique. So fun to be around. An electrician Darn Dave was hilarious. He was always lit (drunk). Talking one day about his doctor visit he says ‘Oh god I hope it’s cancer. I can’t take getting another cold<\/strong>.<\/em>‘ Ben continued – “We need those guys<\/em>.”<\/p>\n

Prankster<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Ben

Ben Getting the Drop on the Cop<\/strong> (with a squirt gun)<\/p><\/div>\n

Uhhmm, we might have to wait until a few more years (& participants) have passed to publish some of these. Like how he\u00a0came to chose an Electrician career.<\/p>\n

Suppose I can mention that he escorted Patty Hearst<\/a> from neighboring Santa Catalina (All girls school) to the Junior Prom. Apparently she wasn’t converted into a fan. Her first major bad decision.<\/p>\n

Here’s one I can show, taken at a Laguna Seca MotoGP race. Ben got away with it – probably because the cop had no idea . . .<\/p>\n

Courteous, Generous, Adventurous, Bright, World Explorer, Athlete, Professional Electrician, Brilliant Writer, Music enthusiast – admired and loved by good-hearted women and men.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Ben's

Ben’s Annual Sponsored An\u00f2 Nuevo Tour for Fabulous Friends<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

Love ya Ben – a Class Act<\/strong><\/p>\n

===========<\/p>\n

And more to come . . .<\/p>\n

Your comments, stories and photographs are most welcome !<\/strong><\/p>\n

And You are invited, Welcomed and Encouraged to pass this story on to Ben’s widespread set of friends.<\/strong><\/p>\n

*** Celebration of Ben’s Fabulous Life<\/strong> was held at Pacific Grove’s Berwick Park<\/a> on Saturday March 8 at 9:30am. Potluck Picnic never really got going because everyone preferred sharing great stories of Ben.<\/p>\n

Pacific Grove’s Berwick Park<\/a> is exactly half a mile West of the Aquarium, just past Stanford’s Hopkins Marine Station<\/a>. (In High School, Ben lived in York School’s “Pink Palace” just a block uphill from here.) I am led to believe some un-authorized ash distribution may take place in SF and next to his parents grave in Occidental. And when the snow melts – in his beloved Tulomne Meadows.<\/p>\n

# # #<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

My Favorite Marchand Generous Gentleman, Genetically-Happy Prankster, world class Writer, world traveler, leading edge Road racing and Flying afficianado, Career Electrician and\u00a0 lifelong bachelor Ben Marchand passed away bravely fighting Lung cancer this week – leaving behind a plethora of … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":91,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[31,27,26,21,24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9054","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-adventure","category-amazing","category-doing-good","category-humor","category-memorial"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/daviddilworth.com\/pol\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9054","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/daviddilworth.com\/pol\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/daviddilworth.com\/pol\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/daviddilworth.com\/pol\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/daviddilworth.com\/pol\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9054"}],"version-history":[{"count":137,"href":"https:\/\/daviddilworth.com\/pol\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9054\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9570,"href":"https:\/\/daviddilworth.com\/pol\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9054\/revisions\/9570"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/daviddilworth.com\/pol\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9054"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/daviddilworth.com\/pol\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9054"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/daviddilworth.com\/pol\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9054"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}