Bruce Rossmeyer: Gone but never to be forgotten

Bruce Rossmeyer's Legacy

Harley-Davidson dealership owner Bruce Rossmeyer was laid to rest this week in Ormond Beach, Florida a place he had called home since the 1970's. His second home was in Ft. Lauderdale. We are all still in shock because he was such a big man in these communities.

He started the annual "Ride for Children" to benefit Camp Boggy Creek during Daytona Bike Week and he was a sponsor of the "Kyle Petty Ride Across America."

He was riding with a group from a Harley meeting in Denver to Thermopolis, Wyoming, where they intended to meet up with and ride together to Sturgis with a group of Hampsters custom bike builders. He was the last to pass a pickup pulling a camper when his motorcycle collided with the truck, Thursday morning, July 30, 2009.

News of the accident reached Florida around noon.

Rossmeyer's wife, Sandy, and two of their five children were waiting for him in Sturgis.

Born in New Jersey in May 1943, Bruce was only 25 when he acquired his first car dealership.

He opened his first motorcycle business 25 years later, a Harley-Davidson dealership on Beach Street in Daytona Beach.

In the next 15 years, Bruce expanded this family business into the largest chain of Harley-Davidson dealerships in the world – with 15 locations in Florida, Colorado, Massachusetts and Tennessee.

His picture is on billboards throughout Florida in connection with the 160-acre Destination Daytona -- the world's largest Harley dealership -- opened in 2005.

Rossmeyer was equally known for his generous philanthropy and support of charities, especially those benefiting children.

He helped found and served on the board of directors for Camp Boggy Creek in Cassia, a division of The Hole in the Wall camps. He sponsored “Ride for Children,” the camp’s annual charity motorcycle ride.

He has served on the board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County and Volusia County, and the Police Athletic League for the city of Daytona Beach.

He was also a sponsor for the “Kyle Petty Ride Across America.”

The funeral was Tuesday, Aug. 4th in Ormond Beach. Memorial donations can be made to Camp Boggy Creek, 30500 Brantley Branch Road, Eustis, FL 32736, http://www.boggycreek.org/.