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Meet Your Neighbor: Meet The Neighbor – Lamar Marchese
By Callie Thomas
Winston Churchill gave one of the shortest commencement addresses ever when he rose, walked to the podium and said, “Never, never, never, never give up,” then sat down. That quote adequately conveys that most things worth accomplishing don’t come easy, and 89117 resident Lamar Marchese is a successful example of what being persistent can accomplish.
Lamar, his wife Patricia, and several others founded Nevada Public Radio in 1975. Persistence drove the long and arduous task of putting a station on the air, and persistence helped the endeavor grow from a mere idea into a seven station, four state regional network with an annual budget approaching five million dollars. Persistence helped them acquire a state-of-the-art studio and a full time professional staff of thirty-six members. Persistence filled the need for 24/7 information and cultural programming that enticed a weekly audience of 150,000 KNPR listeners at the time of Marchese’s retirement in 2007. But that’s only the tip of the iceberg.
Marchese’s determination is also at the heart of a lifetime of giving back to the community, from civic arts and cultural organizations such as the Las Vegas Philharmonic to Shade Tree Shelter for abused and homeless women and children. He has artfully integrated a dedication to public service with his work as a public broadcaster. Even in his retirement, Marchese is not satisfied to sit on his laurels. He and his wife have taken up Tai Chi for the past two years and he’s re-awakened a passion for photography that has led to a series of acclaimed works of art and three one-man show exhibits. Lamar tells of his beginnings in public service, his most memorable experiences in creating a Las Vegas first and the invigorating excitement of re-inventing yourself and embarking on an all new passion.
Tell us about your first experiences in public service.
“I began as a foot soldier in the war on poverty. I was in the first graduated group of VISTA Volunteers and served for a year in the country’s first Job Corps camp. When my wife and I moved to Vegas in 1972, I took a job with the brand new Clark County Library District as the Program Director.”
How did you become interested in starting a public radio station?
“While working with the public library, I became involved in arts and cultural organizations serving on the Board and as Chairman of the Allied Arts Council. It was during that time I became interested in starting Southern Nevada’s first public radio station.”
The kick-off of KNPR was a bit… challenging?
“I was flicking the switch to turn on the transmitter for KNPR after four and a half years of struggle. It didn’t work. Something blew at the transmitter site, so instead of signing on March 23, 1980, we had to wait an extra day.”
Since that time, you expanded the operation and made an impact on national public radio.
“I added six repeater stations that serve most of Nevada and portions of Arizona, Utah and California. I was able to influence national events by serving two terms on the NPR network national Board of Directors in Washington, D.C.”
Tell us about your new passions.
“First and foremost, I am passionate about family. I am proud of my two children, Peter and Julia, and we have always traveled together, most recently to India, Nepal and Turkey. After I retired, I picked up the camera again and that has become my new passion.”
Your photography has been well-received!
“I have a showing at the Southern Nevada Museum of Fine Arts at Neonopolis. It’s entitled “Namaste: Faces of India and Nepal” and consists of forty-six portraits taken during our recent family travels.”
What else might we be surprised to know about you?
“I met the love of my life in the sixth grade. We went to the same junior high, high school and college. We’ve been married for forty-six years. She is the co-pilot of my life and I am the most blessed of men.”
