Rafael De Marchena-Huyke

We miss you Rafa, but your legacy and generosity still lives on. Even if you are gone you have continued helping many people in need.
All the aunts, among them my mother, who you were so kind to and fond of would be so proud of you!
You left us with the memory of your smile and your spirit.
Kate

Querido Rafael,
Son apenas unos dias de tu partida y todavia no lo podemos asimilar. Tu ausencia ha dejado un inmenso vacio en nuestros corazones. Nos quedan todos los bellos recuerdos y muchas enseñanzas aprendidas en todos estos años a tu lado. Siempre te recordaremos con tu espiritu alegre, tu increible energia ,tu positivismo,tu amor por las artes , tu sabiduria ,tanta generosidad y esas ganas de disfrutar la vida al maximo como solo tu sabias hacerlo. Tuvimos el privilegio de ser parte de tu vida y por eso siempre estaremos agradecidos con Dios y con la vida. Extrañamos tus llamadas, extrañamos tu sonrisa el saber que estas ahi y que pronto te veremos. Gracias por ser un ser tan maravilloso y bondadoso. Dejas un vacio muy grande en nosotros pero nuestros corazones siempre estaran llenos de miles de hermosos recuerdos y en el siempre ocuparas un lugar muy especial. Te queremos y te extrañamos inmensamente. Descanza en paz.
Love,

Paola, Juan Carlos e hijos

EL PRIMO RAFA, Cousin Rafa, as I and my siblings always called him, without really understanding the extent of the relationship, until some years ago, when Rafa explained it to us: we had a mutual great grand mother, her name 'Mama Leonor'nee Pardo. From her first marriage to Renee Quast, she was mother to our grandmother Enriqueta,. Then,'Mama Leonor' became a widow, and subsequently married Adolfo Marchena, a merchant marine owner of river boats. From that second marriage, Rafael Marchena, Rafa's father, was born.

Always, through the years, even though we lived so far from each other, Rafa maintained a warm friendship with us, keeping it alive by his recounts of the exciting social and inteletual life he led. During a short visit to LA from my home in NC, a few years ago, Rafa hosted me and my family to a lovely lunch with his customary finesse and elegance, then, toured us to his favorite digs.

I found out very recently, from my sister Adelita -who saw Rafa in every trip he made to Barranquilla - about Rafa's delicate health, never imagining that he would soon leave us. He seemed eternal, because of his zest for life and possitive outlook. His photographs, his book, his messages, his altruism and generosity will continue as testimony to the very special human being that he was. His memory will always greet us with a smile. Long live cousin Rafa!
Condolences to the rest of his cousins, to Juan Carlos Gonzalez and family, who enjoyed Rafa's trust and friendship, and to all who considered Rafa their friend.
Fondly,
Kate Renowitzky de Gaydos

Rest in peace. I will miss your calls regarding your travel plans and the excitement in your voice about the travel.

Linda Kahn-Ferrell
TravelStore

Rest In Peace old friend...He was a humanist of refined manners and etiquette. LA will miss him as well as Barcelona and points in the world.
Edward Lozzi

Rafael you certainly will be missed. There was only one of you. Thank you for including me in all your celebrations - for so many years - I can't remember for how long. Juanita Kempe

Rafael you certainly will be missed. There was only one of you. Thank you for including me in all your celebrations for so many years that I no longer can count them. Juanita Kempe

Gracias por todas las memorias and good times together! You will always be in our hearts.
TQM,

Nic