Today we join the Delaware State University Alumni family, the Memphis (TN) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and the remaining Delaware chapters of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. as we mourn the passing of our dear brother Ira Marche.
Bro. Marche was a Harlem, NY native who arrived at Delaware State College (now University) on an athletic scholarship. Delaware State provided an opportunity for Bro. Marche to build upon the skills he honed back in New York with the Kenyon Runners. While matriculating at Delaware State, Bro. Marche became an entrepreneur which opened the door to him becoming the first Black-owned beauty salon on the Dover Air Force Base (DAFB). Bro. Marche considered a meeting with President George Bush during his tenure as a business owner at DAFB among his relished opportunities to network and bring people together.
After graduating from Delaware State, Bro. Marche started Marche Landscaping where he designed and installed many fixtures prevalent at the Rehoboth Beach Ocean Front. He was also a Federally Licensed Landscape Architect who designed installations on the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. In Dover, Bro. Marche became actively involved in the Community and proudly served on the Board of the Boys and Girls Club.
Bro. Marche entered a new chapter of life when he married his beautiful Silhouette, Marcia, and moved to Memphis, Tennesee where they partnered in Real Estate; a private Medical Practice; and community service projects. In Memphis, Bro. Marche formed 901 Boxing to train young men and women in both, boxing and life skills. He also became a sponsor of the McFarland Community Center where he held an annual boxing camp.
Bro. Marche held his membership in Kappa Alpha Psi in the highest regard where he proudly served as an active member of both Dover (DE) Alumni and Memphis (TN) Alumni chapters of Kappa Alpha Psi. Bro. Marche held Life Membership at the National and Northeastern Province levels. Bro. Marche was currently serving as Dover (DE) Alumni’s chapter Historian, and he took tremendous pride in serving as the Chairman of Memphis (TN) Alumni’s Hospitality committee where he expressed extreme pride in being a part of the Welcoming Committee for Grand Polemarch Jimmy McMikle.
Bro. Marche will be remembered for his willingness to help anyone in need; his knowledge of the Fraternity; his ability to bring brothers together across generations and locations; and just as important- his sense of fashion, style, and his larger-than-life smile! Bro. Marche is the personification of a Kappa Man!
