Philippe Gerard “Frenchy” Mallen July 30, 1957 – April 14, 2019

Philippe passed away suddenly on April 14 in Bend.

A talented songwriter, guitarist, singer and producer, Frenchy was active in the Central Oregon music scene for many years. He wrote and recorded “Star of the Starry Night,” a song honoring the Sisters Starry Night performer Nicolette Larson. He recorded students for many years at his Mallen Music Ranch. He and wife Ruth contributed to local projects My Own Two Hands, Big Brother/Big Sisters, St. Charles Foundation and the Tower Theatre Foundation.

Philippe was born to James and Jacqueline Mallen in Los Angeles on July 30, 1957. He was raised by his Uncle Jacques and Aunt Madeline Don Salat in Los Angeles. Together they owned and operated the successful Santa Monica restaurant Le Cellier. Fortunately for all who came to know him, Frenchy developed his wonderful culinary skills at this fine restaurant. He attended Beverly Hills High School and the Dunn School. He played soccer, lacrosse and was a high jump champion (yes, high jump) at Dunn School in Los Olivos, California.

He traveled to Oregon and attended Willamette University in 1973. There he was a member of Beta Theta Pi — where he was thrilled to be a part of a lifelong brotherhood. He transferred to Ithaca College in New York where he obtained his bachelor’s degree. He then attended Michigan State to pursue a master’s degree in restaurant management. It was there that he met Ruth Raseman and their lifelong adventure started. The following year they moved to Florida to pursue their respective educations.

Next was a whirlwind tour of hotel and restaurant opportunities in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Paris, France and San Francisco, California. Ruth and Philippe were married in her hometown of Gull Lake, Michigan in the summer of 1987.

During their time in San Francisco, Frenchy entered the music industry as an engineer where he worked with luminaries including Gregg Allman, Night Ranger, John Lee Hooker and Tower of Power.

When Philippe and Ruth moved to Bend from San Francisco, they purchased a local business which came to be known as Wall Street Storage.

Never one to be far from music, Frenchy then started his own recording studio at their home outside Sisters in a rustic outbuilding, calling it the “Mallen Music Ranch.” Many jingles were produced for local businesses there as well as Frenchy continuing his passion of writing and recording his own songs.

Local bands were frequent and welcome guests at the studio, with a special love for working with the local high school music talent.

Sessions at his studio were legendary, and he had the gift of involving the “not-so-musical” visitors into these sessions, no matter their initial reluctance.

No one left the studio without being touched by his love of music and community.

Thanks to all for your love and support, as Frenchy once penned, “…Me oh my, how time flies.”

Memorial donations can be made in memory of Philippe Mallen to the music programs in the Sisters School District through the Sisters Schools Foundation. To donate online, http://www.ssd6.org/ssf/donatenow/, direct donations to: Music in honor of Philippe Mallen. Checks can also be mailed to: Sisters Schools Foundation P.O. Box 2155 Sisters, OR 97759.