Richard “Rick” Ivan Morel, 76, died June 3 in Denver, Colorado. He was born July 14, 1947, in Watertown, Massachusetts; his family moved to Colorado when he was eight. Rick’s father, Ivan, came to work in Denver for Fred H. Meunier in the pipe organ business. Ivan eventually bought the business, and it became Ivan P. Morel and Associates, Inc. When Rick graduated from high school he joined his father’s firm. When Ivan retired, Rick took over the business. The firm installed, built, refurbished, and provided service to organs in five states.
Rick Morel not only loved the pipe organ but also its history. The Morel company refurbished the organ at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver. Rick was present at the cathedral making sure the organ worked perfectly when the Pope St. John Paul II visited in 1993. Morel spent the last decade or more trying to bring new people into the business of pipe organs. He was dedicated to preserving historical files on many instruments. He celebrated his 58th anniversary of employment at Morel and Associates on May 8.
When Morel was 25 he met and married Sharlie Ann Kern, who survives. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on September 1, 2023.
A memorial service will take place at Montview Presbyterian Church, Denver, August 21. Phil Bordeleau, music director at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, will dedicate a recital to Morel’s memory in spring 2025.
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