Richard Aldo Jarel

Published 12:11 pm Wednesday, April 2, 2025

April 26, 1954 – February 18, 2025

After a long illness and with family at his side, Richard Jarel passed away peacefully at Celia’s House in Medford, Oregon, on February 18, 2025. He is survived by his wife, Tresa Bucher Jarel, and stepchildren Chris and Kyla King.

Born in Baltimore on April 26, 1954, Richard spent his first ten years in southern Florida before the family moved to Los Angeles. He was a bright and precocious child who loved to deconstruct things and figure out how to make them better, earning a National Science Teachers Award when he was in second grade.

Richard loved the water. He and Tresa, his wife since 2012, shared a love of sailing and spent a month sailing their boat in the San Juan Islands.

He hitchhiked in the 1970’s all over the continental United States and parts of Canada. He was a prolific rock climber, mountaineer, cyclist and surfer. Richard loved fireworks and fishing. His campsites were enviable, and his antics with fireworks are legendary.

Richard was a true artist with a zest for life and learning. His ability to draw and sculpt anything that he saw in his mind was truly remarkable. Learning the guitar, his musical talents blossomed, and he enjoyed impromptu sessions at McCabe’s music store with LA music legends. However, one of Richard’s favorite music memories was playing the guitar accompaniment to stepdaughter Kyla and her friend’s cover of “Landslide” at her high school graduation. Richard worked as a fireman in Malibu CA, a career he loved but cut short by a work-related injury. For several years, he was the manager of the Venice Family Clinic. He continued to tinker with air foils and RC planes. With notable flying abilities, he became well-known in the RC world for developing the TELOS.

He opened a studio dedicated to his multifaceted interests and talents, making RC kits, promo kits, architectural models, stage props, puppets, and art pieces, especially kinetic sculptures. His work with composites and molds came to the attention of the Burman family, a well-respected special effects company; and a Mattel executive who saw his potential as a toy prototype creator. He enjoyed a satisfying career in movie and stage special effects, architectural and display models, fine art pieces, toy and product development, as seen on the “Million Dollar Geniu$” episode 1. His Headblade prototype sits in the Museum of Modern Art as an innovative industrial design piece.

He moved to the Rogue Valley in 2000, where he became part of the valley art scene. His sculpture in Medford,“Salmonflight”, sits in the fountain on Oakdale Avenue. He also has several pieces on display at the Medford Airport. He loved working with Science Works and Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center where he gave presentations in local classrooms as well as mentoring students in his studio.

A private family service has been held. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in his name to the Southern Oregon Friends of Hospice.