Philippe de Marchin of Allen, Texas passed away February 19, 2020 at the age of 79. He was born on December 31, 1940 to Raymond and Lucienne (Closset) de Marchin in Liege, Belgium.
Philippe received his early education in Liege, Belgium and an Electrical Engineering degree in 1962 from the University of Liege, Belgium. He continued his formal education by obtaining an MSEE degree from the University of Arizona in 1964 and an MBA degree from the University of Dallas, Graduate School of Management in 1974. Philippe was especially proud of the Fellowship Award he received in 1962 – 1964 from the NASA International program.
During Philippe’s 40 year professional career, he held positions with companies including Texas Instruments, Micropac Industries, Fairchild Semiconductor, Intel International, and Valid Logic Systems. In 1987, he founded Texma New Tech based in Belgium and Luxembourg. He retired from the business world in the mid-1990s but never lost his love and thirst for learning.
Philippe’s love of the United States was formed during WWII. Philippe’s recollections of the war included sad memories of scarce food and starvation for his family and local residents. He fondly recalled memories of US soldiers coming to his city and sharing their food rations with his family, an act of kindness from soldiers who had themselves endured much suffering. As Philippe grew, he vowed to one day become an American citizen, which occurred later in his adult life.
Philippe married Janine Ledent, the love of his life and his lifelong partner, on February 16, 1967 in Tucson, Arizona. Philippe met Janine in Tucson and instantly fell in love the first time “he laid eyes on her.” They lived in the United States but still maintained a part-time summer home in their beloved Belgium. After retirement, Philippe and Janine would spend six months per year in each country.
Great friends were a hallmark of Philippe and Janine’s 53 year marriage. Janine’s love and mastering of cooking was one of the highlights of stories told by Philippe and their friends. Laughter was forefront when a close group of friends would gather. Philippe loved and enjoyed a glass of wine, a baguette, a plate of pate, wonderful Belgian and French cheeses, and his Monday morning get-togethers with the McRATs men’s group.
Just seventeen months before his own death, Philippe lost his beloved wife Janine whom he missed terribly during those months without her. There is no doubt they are reunited in heaven along with friends and beloved family.
Philippe is survived by his cousin Josette Gottart of Belgium; great friends Marie-Jean Dechamps of Belgium and family, Marina MacKenzie of Dallas, Texas and family, Monique Paulin of Dallas, Texas, Jeanine Hekkila of Dallas, Texas and family, Gary Andersen and wife Marjorie of McKinney, Texas and family, and Debbie Jacobs, husband Greg of Lucas, Texas and family.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home Chapel, 2525 North Central Expressway, Allen, Texas 75013. The service will be conducted by Pastor John Hargrove, North Cities United Pentecostal Church, Garland, Texas. Reception to follow at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
A dual inurnment of Philippe and Janine will take place at a later date.