IL Chapter Z & J Remember Red!


Link to PICTURES of the event
***** UPDATE ON RED *****

(7/2/03)
Toney and Carol IL-Z, Rick and Melody IL-J,
 
We are the ride coordinators for GWRRA OR-I. Debra’s dad lives in Germantown, IL. I am going to tell you a little story about her dad and ask a favor of your chapters. Her dad, Red Bursott, is 94 years old. He and his wife, Mary, were married for 65+ years when she passed away 2 years ago. Red is an angel of a man. He is one that always sees the good in everything. He comes out to Oregon every year to visit us in the fall. Last year we joined GWRRA, and when he came out to visit he was just in awe over these bikes. We arranged for our chapter to get together and our chapter director, Duane, showed up riding his wife’s trike. We put Red on the back and we all went for a ride to a very scenic place called Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River gorge. He had the time of his life. I don’t think he slept for 2 days afterward. He was so excited. The chapter then made him an honorary member, and presented him with a signed, framed picture of the chapter gathered around him.
 
About a month ago, we got the news that he was diagnosed with terminal bone cancer. He has been so looking forward all year to coming back out here and going for another ride. We are not sure he will be able to travel out here though. We are going to IL to visit him in July. We will be flying in there July 12, and we are returning July 20. We were wondering if some of your members would be able to come to his house on Saturday, July 19, as a surprise visit. That day is also my wife’s 50th birthday. If someone has a trike and would be willing to take him on a short ride, it would really make his day. He still lives on his own, but has been in quite a bit of pain lately. We don’t know at this point if he will be physically capable of riding, and probably won’t know until that day, but even a visit by a “gang” (as he puts it) would be awesome.
 
Please let us know what you think, and thank you in advance for your efforts.
 
Thank You,
Dan & Deb Ottenbacher
Ride Coordinators
GWRRA Chapter I, Oregon City, OR

(7/17/03)
Chapter Z showed up on an Ice Cream ride in Metamora and gave Red Bursott a ride on Bill Onken's trike. The following week Chapter J showed up and gave him a ride in Russell Carter's side car.

(8/23/03)
Toney & Carol
 
I would like to start this by saying thank you to your entire chapter for paying a visit to Red. Two weeks ago he took a turn for the worst, and my wife, Debra, flew back to IL again the next morning. The hospice people estimated less than a week to go. Well, they were wrong, and as of this writing he is still hanging on. He is pretty much bed ridden now, and Debra is still there. Her brother also flew in this time.
 
You people really helped make his wish come true, and it seems it was just in the nick of time. He probably only has a few days left at this point, but he could surprise us.
 
I have not written the article for Wing World yet, things have just been too hectic. I will write it as soon as everything calms down a bit.
 
I do have another request to make on Debra’s behalf. Her main stress relief is riding on the Goldwing. She has been back there now for the past 2 weeks, caring for Red every day. When I talked to her today, she said she is going nuts with all the stress and no way to relieve it by going for a ride. None of our blood relatives back there are motorcyclists. I would like to ask if you could talk to one of your safe and experienced riders (and part of our GWRRA family) to see if they would be willing to take her for a ride for a couple of hours so she can escape for a little bit. If someone would be willing to do this, please have them contact her to arrange a time and date. (contact Toney for phone number)
 
Thanks in advance for being so accommodating to our wishes. Your overwhelming willingness to help will not be forgotten.
 
Thank You,
Dan & Deb Ottenbacher
Ride Coordinators
GWRRA Chapter I, Oregon City, OR

(9/1/03)
Red Bursott passes away Sunday (8/31/03) at 12 am.  His daughter Debra said on Friday it was only a matter of hours so he lasted quite a lot longer than expected.  She said it meant so much to have our chapters show up and give him his last motorcycle ride and they appreciated it so much.