The Marchbank Family has lived in Black Forest since 1963.  Don and Vera Marchbank had lived in the same home until their deaths – Vera passed in March of 2021.  Jim and Kelly built their home on adjoining property. Their children Patrick and Sean were raised true Black Forest kids walking through the woods to Grandma’s house, riding their dirt bikes in the trees, and walking a mile to play with the neighbors.  

In August of 2017, Patrick Marchbank died as a result of a traumatic brain injury while riding in a vintage motocross race – something he had done hundreds of time before.  Patrick had just graduated from Pine Creek High School.  He played soccer including in the Black Forest League, ran track and was a percussionist for Pine Creek Marching Band, Winter Percussion, Jazz Combo and Symphonic Band. He had planned to go to Motorcycle Mechanics Institute in Arizona to become a Yamaha Certified Mechanic.  

Since his death, his family keeps his memory alive.  At https://hobomotorsports.com/ you can read about his story.  Donations have come from all over the country.  From these donations, a scholarship in his name was started through the Education Opportunity of Black Forest for students who are pursuing a trade or vocational education. Information regarding scholarships may be found at  www.eofblackforest.org/. This past spring, his sister Sean won his scholarship as she plans to attend a vet tech school in the fall. Other donations in Patrick’s memory afforded Pine Creek High School’s music program a new drum set. A scholarship was also formed at MMI from an auction of a donated motorcycle. Other organizations that are important to Patrick and his family are Life Network, Colorado Donor Alliance, Road2Recovery, Teaching the Autism Community Trades (TACT), and Pine Creek Eagle Band Boosters. Please consider donating to them in the future in honor and memory of Patrick Marchbank.