MEMORIAL VIDEO
Colonel (retired) Reginald “Regi” Malebranche
Colonel (retired) Reginald “Regi” Malebranche, a proud 27-year veteran of the United States Army, passed away peacefully with his wife by his side on July 11, 2024 at the age of 85.
Regi is survived by his wife, Karen (nee: Enderle) Malebranche of Helena, Montana, his children, Philippe (Susanne) Malebranche of Hollywood, Maryland and Michelle Malebranche of Las Vegas, Nevada; Craig (Tasha) Ferguson of Colorado and currently residing in Madagascar; Amanda Ferguson of Helena, Montana; Sister, Mirelle “Mimi” Malebranche of Port-au-Prince, Haiti; Grandchildren, Katherine “Kate” Ferguson, Ethan Drwiega-Ferguson, Baylee Malebranche, and Braden Malebranche. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Alix Malebranche of Miami, Florida.
Regi was born on May 17, 1939, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti to Germaine (nee: Pasquet) Malebranche and Adrien Malebranche. He was the eldest of three children. Regi attended the L’Assumption boarding school in Montreal, Quebec, Canada from the age of 8 until he graduated from college. He also graduated with a Master in Science Education from the University of Kansas in 1976. While at school, his family was part of the 1958 coup d’etat that failed in Haiti against the dictator, Francois Duvalier, aka. “Papa Doc.” His family lost everything in the revolution to include two of his uncles, one of which was the coup leader.
At the age of 23, Regi enlisted in the US Army, believing that the Army would send him to medical school. Due to a miscommunication with a US Army recruiter, he was instead signed up to be an Army Medic at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Regi was later commissioned at the age of 24 and served 27 years in the US Army, attaining the rank of Colonel. He was stationed throughout the United States, Republic of Korea and Republic of Vietnam earning several awards and decorations to include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross. His early Army career included serving at the Presidio of San Francisco where he was the Officers Club Manager and booked talents such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and The Supremes. He served as the Chief of Manpower and Resource Manager for the Army Surgeon General at the Pentagon for the final ten years of his Army career. To his troops, Regi was known as the “Haitian Sensation”!
Regi married Jeannette (nee: Fong) Malebranche in 1965 and together they raised their children, Philippe and Michelle. Some of the things Regi enjoyed most about being a parent was watching his children grow, attending their sports activities, meeting their friends, and watching them turn into successful individuals. He was extremely proud of his children and made sure to tell everyone he met that his son is a pilot, and his daughter is a leader in the car sales industry.
Upon retirement from the Army in 1991, Regi worked as a consultant in the Washington, D.C. area for Eagle Group International until his final retirement in 2018. During this time, he met and married Karen on September 29, 2001, also a US Army officer. Together they celebrated 22 years of marriage. Every day they would quibble on who was the “senior Colonel.” Through his marriage to Karen, Regi also gained two adult children whom he was also very proud of – Craig and Amanda. Regi and Karen traveled a great deal to Europe, the Far East and across the United States. Their favorite places were Tuscany and Provence. Upon Karen’s retirement from the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2018, they moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. They especially enjoyed time with their grandchildren and visiting friends from their Army days. In 2022, as Regi’s health began to decline, he and Karen sold their house in Nevada and moved to Helena, Montana near Karen’s family. Regi spent his final couple of years at Touchmark Senior Living and most recently at Cooney Rehabilitation Center. He met many wonderful residents and caregivers during his time in these facilities, some of whom became very dear friends to him.
Regi was a charismatic speaker and loved to tell stories about his Army career, the glory days of Haiti when it was known as “the pearl of the Caribbean”, and his childhood. He was a natural athlete excelling in soccer (aka football), ping pong, 8-ball pool, and baseball. He was even drafted by the Brooklyn Dodgers prior to his Army career. Regi enjoyed watching ice hockey. Despite Michelle’s attempt to convert him into a Vegas Golden Knights fan, he remained a tried-and-true fan of the Washington Capitals and passed his love of the team and sport onto Philippe. He also enjoyed watching Formula One racing. When he wasn’t doing one of those things, you may have seen him mowing the lawn in his 3-piece suit – because quite frankly there was never a time that he didn’t want to look his best!
Anyone who knew Regi was also very likely to have been introduced to his other favorite things in life – Haitian Rum, a fine red wine, his beloved 1991 Acura Legend that he owned until 2022, an invitation for fine dining at the Army-Navy Club, his love for a good Haitian Turkey on Thanksgiving, his vast array of suits only completed with a “power red” tie, the aroma of his French perfume, his need to keep everything clean and organized, and his “old school” gentleman manners. He always insisted on opening car doors for Karen and driving her everywhere. Any event, whether large or small, was most certainly never complete without a “toast” from Regi.
Here’s to you Regi – you lived a wonderful life filled with many amazing stories and memories. While your job here on earth is finished, your memory will live on in our hearts forever. Rest in eternal peace, Colonel.
Family will receive friends on Monday, July 29, 2024 from 4:00-7:00pm at the Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. A Father Tim Moriarty will be presiding a funeral service on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at 11:00am at the Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home chapel. Interment with military honors will follow at Montana State Veterans Cemetery – Fort Harrison.
Serving as pallbearers will be Philippe Malebranche, Craig Ferguson, Quentin Enderle, Bryan Enderle, Akira Enderle, and Lawrence Gannon. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Colonel (ret) Daniel Blum, Colonel (ret) William Ethington, and Ron Anderson.
Memorial contributions in Regi’s memory may be made to Caritas – Catholic Relief Services working for a prosperous and independent Haiti.
To watch Regi’s memorial video, please use the link below:
https://www.dropbox.com/t/PfIjNFr00HnH0M4v
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Monday July 29, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday July 30, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Funeral Service
Tuesday July 30, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Following the Reception
Tuesday July 30, 2024
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Monday July 29, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday July 30, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Funeral Service
Tuesday July 30, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Following the Reception
Tuesday July 30, 2024
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Share
Julia Miller says
Rest in peace Regi, we were so glad to know you.
Julie and Tom Miller
Helen Bursley-Fournier says
So enjoyed knowing you, Regi
You brought so many joy to life
Buck Coates says
I’m so sorry Karen. You and Regi are good friends and Marianne and I missed you both when you went west. Regi was a great addition to our Knights of Columbus Council 459 in Alexandria. He especially enjoyed running our soccer challenge each year and it was always a great success. Regi was fun to be around, and he definitely was an immaculate dresser. He and Marianne shared a carpool while they were assigned to the Army Surgeon General’s Office. They often shared great stories of their adventures. What a wonderful man and he will be greatly missed. Buck
Cyndi Nelson says
Dearest Karen and Family,
Although we never had the honor and pleasure of meeting Regi we have heard wonderful stories of his amazing life and we share in your loss and send our deepest condolences and prayers and comfort to you and your family. Rest in Peace Regi
Cyndi and Jeff
Bill Waldron says
Rest in Peace Warrior, Always Remembered, Never Forgotten
Marty Menez says
Karen,
Regi stood out among men in Cameron Station here in Alexandria, VA, as an upright, caring, helpful, and yes, entertaining resident and Army vet. All who knew him profited from the experience and enjoyed his company immensely. My sincere condolences, Karen. Sorry we didn’t get to see you both in Las Vegas before your relocation to Montana. I hope our paths cross before too long though. We have a lot to reminisce about, and celebrate the life of Regi.
Best Regards,
Marty Menez
Debra Downey Stockdale says
Karen, my deepest sympathies for you and family in this time of loss and grief. My thoughts, hugs and prayers are with you.
Debra Downey Stockdale
Tonia Patt says
Karen,
Our life was richer knowing Regi. He used to light up the streets of Cameron Station with that smile. Much love, Tonia and Joe
Don MacVittie says
Karen, I have such wonderful memories of Regi as a friend and neighbor, from traveling to Provence and Tuscany as a group, shoveling snow, his great stories and taste in wine, and of course, the dark rum. In all encounters, you were there. I am so sorry for you and the family’s loss, but I know that Regi was blessed to have you and them in his life.
Love ya, Don
RRSanders says
Dearest Karen and family am sending as much love as I can from sitting here in your neighborhood. You two remained constantly missed after all these years. My heart goes out to you dear Karen at this difficult time. You know how much my family adored Regi, my Dad in particular, as they were kindred military gentlemen. When I think of Regi, I think of him as the consummate gentleman. And, he will be such forever now that he is in his eternal resting place. Karen, just remember, he is looking down on you with love and I hope that gives you strength in the coming months without him. I have sent a donation to CARITAS’ Emergency Response Fund for his beloved Haiti as I know that would make him smile. We talked a lot about Haiti over the years since I had spent lots of time there and knew it well. I was trying to figure out a way to get there in time, but that doesn’t look possible right now. But know Karen that I love you lots, and that I am there in spirit, and will be saying to Regi, the gentleman, who was my friend – rest well, rest well, rest well – Sincerely Robin (below is the donation citation.)
Emergency Response Fund – Donation in honor/memory of Colonel (retired) Reginald “Regi” Malebranche
Francoise Coupet says
Rest in Peace Regi. Bobby and I were always happy to spend time with you and Karen when in Washington. Always in our heart. Francoise and Bobby
Ken and Kathy Fuglee says
Karen, Loved the service. Wishing we could be there in person. The slide show was very special. Many tears and prayers for you and your family. Ken and Kathy Fuglee.
Daniel Blum says
Regi you are a good part of our “dash”. Great to work for, and my daughters always asked about you after taking them to Indian Princess meetings when I coukdn’t take them . We worked well together and stayed friends . Farewell my friend.
Jill Crandall Coffin says
“And in life’s noisiest hour,
There whispers still the ceaseless Love of Thee,
The heart’s self-solace and soliloquy.”
The Presence of Love…Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Regi certainly knew the presence of love, all of the years you were together…and through your many friends and family…you made certain of that.
We consider ourselves fortunate to have known him…and how special he…and you….make others feel.
We are thinking of you, Karen, and hoping that all of the memories you created together bring some light and joy.
With love…Jill and Bruce
Maurice Yaglom says
To Regi’s family: I belatedly received the sad news of Regi’s passing, and very much want to add some thoughts. Regi was a true mentor and friend. He was solely responsible for selecting me to work in the manpower programming division of the Army Office of the Surgeon General back in 1982. Under his leadership, I grew professionally and learned from him the importance of defending Army Medical Department manpower structure requirements. Regi was a highly knowledgeable, mission-oriented, and charismatic boss. He never shied away from rigorous discussions on medical manpower issues. I probably heard his enthusiastic greeting “How ya doing babe!” at least 1000 times. I’ll never forget his positive impact on me. Regi – thank you very much for your devoted service. Rest in peace. With total respect, Maurice Yaglom
Gilles Savoie says
Dear Karen
Sonia and I have just learned of Réginald’s death. We send our deepest condolences to you and the whole family. I have fond memories of Réginald when we were boarders at Collège de l’Assomption. He was greatly appreciated by all his fellow students. Take good care of yourself
Gilles and Sonia Savoie
jacib Lozada says
I am saddened by Reggie’s passing. We served in South Korea in 1968 and a couple of decades later, we served again as members of the HSC IG team at Fort Sam. In South Korea, we played table tennis daily (he won most of the time). He was a fierceless competitor! After my retirement from Active Duty, I saw him often at the Army & Navy Club and enjoyed his friendship and camaraderie. We were both from the Islands, he from Haiti and I from Puerto Rico, and traded stories of life in the tropics often. Reggie was one of a kind, a fancy dresser and a debonaire man. You will be missed, Reggie! Rest in peace, my friend.
Jacob Lozada says
I meant to write my name as: Jacob Lozada”