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Bill"Ratbike Bill"
Wisely-
The first time I met Bill, he was trying to
kick over his raggedy ol' Shovelhead in about 95 degree weather
outside a Handy Mart (gas stop). The guy was already nursing a
broken foot and had to resort to kneeling on the seat of the bike
and then "jumping" on the kicker with his good foot. He kicked and
kicked until that old Shovel finally gave in. Bill and I came to be
close friends and spent many, many miles sharing the same asphalt,
telling stories and generally sharing our lives. My wife, Beverly,
and I also spent many weekends camping out with both Bill and Bonnie
at different rallies throughout the midwest. Bill was a fun,
kind-hearted man who while deeply religious never pressed his
beliefs onto anybody else. Bill had ridden with the Christian
Motorcyclist Association and was a founding member of the Narrow
Road Riders in Belleville, IL. Ironically, both organizations turned
Judas against him and he went back to "Lone Wolf" status with
me. As with life, Bill and I eventually travelled
our separate roads and I lost touch with him for a few years. We
emailed and IM'd from time to time and it was a sudden shock to
learn that Bill had colon cancer early in 2008. Bill, I could have
been a better friend, but I am a better person for knowing you and
learning that no matter what, to keep a spring in my step, a smile
on my face and smooth road under my wheels. I'll miss you, man.
Back to Top Bonnie Flemming- Bonnie
was one of the most independent female bikers I
have ever ridden with. A long time member of the International
Brotherhood
of Motorcycle
C
ampers, Bonnie wouldn't think twice of fueling
up her raggedy GL 1100 Wing, hooking up
her travel camper and heading down the road
toward new adventures. After years of keeping
her old Goldwing running, Bonnie finally
had the opportunity to retire and spent her
money buying a used GL 1500 with
a "voyager" portable trike kit attached.
Someone suggested Bonnie get a feel for her new bike
by removing the additional two wheels, which she
did, and during her first outing on the now
standard 'Wing something happened and she crashed.
The bike landed on top of her and crushed
her helmeted head. She spent the next year in
a vegetative state with permanent and
irreversible brain damage. Bonnie died yesterday
from complications related to pneumonia and while saddened
by the news, I could not have been happier for
her. A woman as strong and independent as
Bonnie would never stand for being enslaved by her
own body and I am sure she is now free once again to
explore those unexplored roads and head her bike
toward new adventures.
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Tom
Halterman-
Mr. Halterman was
not a biker, but he had the SOUL of a biker, for
sure. We buried Mr. Halterman today... He lived a
long and colorful life, having fought the
Japanese behind enemy lines in the jungles of
Burma as an OSS (now CIA) officer during World
War II. He raised several sons and daughters with
his wife of 57 years, Ruth, and delighted in
spending time with his grand kids and great kids.
I had the opportunity to get to know Mr.
Halterman through conversations and sharing
"war stories" and came to appreciate
this humble man and the accomplishments of his
life. If a man's worth is based on his impact on
our world, then Mr. Halterman's life had MUCH
worth, in my opinion.
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John "JD"
Davis-
Diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor just
before Christmas 2003, JD struggled valiantly
against the brain cancer which ultimately took
his life in March 2004. JD was one of the fastest
motorcycle riders I ever knew and I must admit
that while I acted tough I "white
knuckled" my bike more than once trying to
keep up with him. I won't forget you, JD... You
are missed by all.
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"Li'l
Ricky"- Li'l Ricky, a.k.a. "Hippie" was an interesting
fella. = ) The man was short in physical
stature but BIG in heart and could out party and out ride most of
the folks we hung with. The first time I met Ricky was in 20
degree weather in the middle of winter during a Polar Bear Run.
Ricky had a raggedy old red Sportster and he played Hell
keeping that thing going! I'll never forget this little dude, all bundled
up from head to toe in leathers, running/ push starting his
Sporty down the Main Street of Belleville. Ricky's life turned
one afternoon when the dumptruck he was driving on the interstate had a
blow out. The truck crossed the median, killing a guy in a van
and leaving Ricky paralyzed from the waist down. Recovery was long and
hard and, in my opinion, Ricky never fully recovered
from the mental anguish he experienced. Ricky's drinking and partying kicked
up which eventually led to his death when he ran his vehicle into a
pole. They say a candle burning on both ends burns brightest, but
also burns quickest...
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Gary
Turner- Tragically killed while on his scooter by a
drunk driver. My first experience as a member of an organized
motorcycling group (ABATE of Illinois), I sat in awe as those around
me who knew Gary much better than I related his life and events to
me. Leaving a town homecoming, lights off and drunk on a
dark and winding road from Milstadt, Illinois, the "cager" never saw
Gary turn on his blinker and slow to make a left hand turn. The
cager hit Gary and his riding partner and traveled hundreds of yards
before finally stopping. Gary was killed instantly and his passenger severely injured.
The cager was charged with DUI. We held vigil
outside of the county courthouse as the scumbag
that ran him over went through court... Gary's
life was "worth" three year's probation
and a loss of license. "Justice", huh?
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Simmie
"Big K" Kinsey- "Big
K" was nothing more than a good ol' country
boy wrapped up in a bear's body. Big K was REALLY
Big K! =) A big man with a big heart, he was
the first 1%er I ever met in
person. He rode a big Hog back in
the day and I remember watching him chug down the
street on that scooter... I didn't really get to know
Big K until coming back from
Korea... By then he was sickly and alone and asked if
I would show him some work out stuff with weights
(I lifted a lot) =) One thing led to another and
I guess I became Big K's pseudo trainer over
time. More than that, though, I became his
friend. Similar to Tom Halterman, Big K was a
hero who nobody knew of, back in a day where the
word "hero" wasn't thrown around like
it is today... Big K served three complete tours
of duty in Vietnam and retired as a First
Seargent with a a whole BOWL of fruit salad
(awards) for bravery. I miss ya',
"K"..........
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Tanya
Tomlin- A
shooter's bullet took this young lady's life too
soon. I always remember her with a great smile
and carefree attitude. Tanya, you were way too
young, kiddo... New to the "biking
scene", Tanya welcomed me one rainy evening
at the bar she tended with a hearty "Watcha'
have, honey?" =) I still remember your great
smile...
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Fred
"Fritz"
Hoffarth-
Dry wit and a love for the
ride sustained Fritz as he fought against the
"Big C". A quiet, unassuming man during the
day, Fritz would transform into the center
of attention at night with his never-ending funny stories and GREAT
wit. Fritz was a friend to MANY, and
I will never forget the sight of
(literally) two miles of bikes
rumbling down the interstate for his funeral...
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Donnie
Bauman- Taken suddenly
from his family. Donnie was a small guy with a BIG heart and smile.
He was a good, hard working dad who did not deserve
to die so young. His death from heart
disease has, in turn, saved many as the 100 MPH
Club (local M/C) holds a Donnie Bauman benefit run each
year for the American Heart Association.
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Leroy
Bauer- A Vietnam
veteran, Leroy died the way he lived: On his bike and in the
wind. Always thinking of others, Leroy pushed his
wife, Barb, off of his scooter as he realized he
was going to crash into a utility pole... His
thoughtfulness saved her life at the expense of
his own... Leroy, I'll never forget you yelling
"Don't do it!" at our wedding as the
rest of the biker crowd cheered on. =) You are
missed, my friend.
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Mike
Zimensky- Literally saved my wife and
me one wintery night when our furnace backed up
and shot carbon monoxide into our house. Mike
worked for Illinois Power and came out to
"sniff" the place. He was so apologetic
as he had to shut down the furnace because it
couldn't be fixed. What he didn't realize was
that without his concern for our safety, we could
have died from CM poisoning. Thanks, Mike. You
are missed.
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Wayne
Groth- Tragically killed by a 16 year old, a big car,
and an illegal U-turn... "I didn't see
him" was the driver's excuse after pulling in front
of Wayne as he was scooterin' to
the local ATM in town. Like gary's death, nothing ever
happened to the driver of the car.
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Steve
Barbe-
Diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, Steve
fought a valiant, albeit too brief, fight against
his illness. The brothers and sisters of the 100
MPH Club threw one helluva' BBQ Benefit for Steve
just days before he passed.
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Bob "Fatbob"
Watkins-
Tattooed from head to toe, Bob looked mean as
hell, but with a teddy bear's heart. One of the
first real "bikers" I met when I
started riding... Bob, I'll never forget you
sittin' on the ground in the middle of the desert
and tightening that damn chain on your raggedy
ol' Suzuki! My first time to Sturgis... What a
ride! Take care, bro. You make me smile even now.
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