My Dad and I were very close. We shared a passion for many things including scooting.
He absolutely loved scooting. He described it as close as he'd ever get to flying. He was a founder and President of the Vespa Club of Santa Cruz. He had been riding since 1958...almost every mile of it on a Vespa (he did have a Bajaj for a short time). Recently, he had been working with the Vespa Club of Los Gatos on details of Amerivespa 2009.
Without having this seem too much like a police blotter, I still think the MV Community would like some details of what happened.
As I understand it my Dad was participating (very ironically or appropriately - you decide) in the Vampires Motorcycle Club's Day of the Dead ride in honor of those riders who paid like my Dad did. The ride was headed south on Hwy 9 after having just turned off 35. The ride had split into two groups. The lead group and 3 riders who were going slower. My Dad was in the slower group. They were traveling about 35 MPH and my Dad's scoot slipped on some paint. On the other side of the painted stripe, it caught traction again and flipped. My Dad high-sided off the scoot. Unfortunately he hit hard head-first into the pavement and embankment. Although there were some signs of life right after the accident, it was a devastating head injury and he died on the way to the hospital. I understand he never regained consciousness. In all honesty, this is the way he would have wanted to go.
I did get to ride with him some...in fact, we rode to Amerivespa 2007 in Seattle together! My only regret is that I did not get to ride with him more often. I always thought we'd have more time.<==Mistake!
My Mom and Sister are holding up so far. My kids and my sister's kids are mostly just quiet.
To those who knew him, my Dad was a big, opinionated spirit and will leave a huge hole.
I am in shock and beyond my ability to describe how I feel at present. I love you Dad and miss you more than you could ever know. You will be a part of every scooter ride I take.
-Arjen
 |
 |
Last edited by pdxscoot on Fri Nov 14, 2008 4:07 pm; edited 7 times in total
