We lost one of our own today - Rhodeside Wed 7/9 in his Honor - Update

[skurvy]

What a loss, I loved riding with him, such a great guy...

RIP Bill

[bdub]

Words fail me.

Gene, I live near Delaplane, let me know if I can be of help.

[ducati culture]

May Bill continue to ride forever...................  Rest in peace bill!
He was a good brethren .  I will miss him. dc   

[ducatihotti]

How truly sad

I believe I met Bill once or twice, although I didn't have the pleasure of knowing him very well.

I can't be there tomorrow night, but I will definitely be thinking of him. I am with my church right now on a mission trip- i will lift him up in prayer.

Sing a good tune for him tomorrow night!

RIP

Erin

[D.]

Gene is collecting photos of Bill for the MAD site but here are a few in the meantime:

http://www.mad-ducati.com/GalleryShow.php?SeqId=1&GalleryId=601

[twolanefun]

I'll miss Bill, his wild motorcycles, and his wilder schemes.   What a shame, and what a loss to our little group.

To the memory of Bill, and his wonderful sense of humor:   

Tim

Tim and Tony if you guys are going to be there tomorrow night I'd love to sing that version of the Sinatra song "I did it my way" that we sang with Bill, the one time I got suckered into singing, I think that would be cool. - Gene

[Stillie]

I'm thinking a little Johnny Cash is in order too.

[jetpuff716]

Tim and Tony if you guys are going to be there tomorrow night I'd love to sing that version of the Sinatra song "I did it my way" that we sang with Bill, the one time I got suckered into singing, I think that would be cool. - Gene

I'm in for Bill too. 

Until now, I haven't posted my sentiments about Bill on the DMF.   I had just returned home from meeting up with Fatguyracer, LARS, and Rule62 as part of the SMIB-150 ride when I received Gene's email.  The subject line of Gene's message caused my heart to palpitate.  If I hadn't of already committed to meet up with John and the SMIB ride group, I would have met up with Gene for the flat track races on that fateful Sunday.   I went on the ride and watched the races last year with Gene and had a blast.

Anyway, I expected to read about the loss of some past MAD member, and about someone whom I had never known.  I imagine that each of you who knew Bill had a similar reaction as mine when you read that it was him who we had lost.  I was absolutely stunned and in disbelief.  I virtually collapsed onto the floor shaking my head.  I'm still in disbelief.   

Like many of you, Bill was one of the first people I met at Rhodeside.  He immediately embraced me as a newby to CAM.   He told great stories and pretty good, but not such great jokes.     And, he listened to my stories and jokes.   He was a "character" with a large and likeable personality.  He was a great person with a big heart.  He had a real spirit of generosity.  He was a true friend to many.  We will dearly miss him. 

As painful as it is to me (and a collective us), Bill's death is especially painful for Gene.   My thoughts and prayers go out to Bill's family, and that includes Gene.   For those of you who don't know, Bill had a plaque to signify and reserve "Gene's table" at Fire & Ice.   A restaurant that Bill owned.  Gene was his most loyal patron.  They were like brothers and they logged a lot, I mean a sh*t load, of miles riding together.  Gene, words cannot express how very sorry I am for your loss.  You have my deepest condolences.

Finally, a MAD member (Scott T.) sent the following beautiful prayer upon learning of Bill's death.  I think it's worth passing along to Bill's brethren in CAM who may not have read it in the MAD email traffic.

Dear Heavenly Father, we lost a brother in Bill Bowen today.  Please be with his family and friends as they mourn his passing and lay a special hand of comfort and love upon them in their time of grief.  Please watch over all those who gather together in his honor.  We pray for traveling mercies to keep them safe as they come together in Bill's remembrance.  In Jesus' name we pray,

Amen.

[empress duc]

wow.

not expected but perhaps the best case
scenario considering the situation.

Bill will be missed.  give thanks for the
moments he shared with us.

rest in peace Bill

[tocino]

Gene, I'm sorry I can't make it, so someone please raise a pint for me. Hopefully when my time comes I will, like Bill, be doing what I love, with people I love.

[ducrider45]

I was not able to make it. I rased a pint in his memory though. He will be missed

[Duc Stamp]

Just reading this for the first time.  Sad news.

Bill will be missed.

At least he was able to spend his last moments doing what he loved.

[Beast]

By way of introduction my name is Carl Bowen, Bill's older son, and this is a long overdue thank you to all of you who have posted your condolences, thoughts and prayers here on the board.  They are all much appreciated.

Thank you also to those of you who were able to attend Dad's memorial service.  I didn't get the chance to speak to all of you, but I know who you are (your Corse shirts and riding boots gave you away).  I'm sure Dad was smiling somewhere knowing that his memorial was punctuated by the sound of Italian V-twins roaring down a winding Virginia road.

I'm hoping to have the opportunity to meet some of you under somewhat better circumstances in the near future since I'm spending so much time in Delaplane winding up Dad's affairs.  One of these trips I'll bring my 900Sei along and we'll go for a ride; yes, it's the one Dad brought back from Illinois for me and no, it's not for sale.

Best regards,
Carl Bowen

[twolanefun]

Welcome Carl, I look forward to riding with you, there are some great roads to ride and it would be my honor to show you some. I think of your Dad often and wish he was going over to Mid-ohio with me in the AM it was a trip he enjoyed. In two weeks time I will also be gong down to VIR for the races Bill always made that trip with me sinec we first met and in fact followed me down to my first track day at VIR with the MAD club. Regards - Gene

[Ducatista]

Welcome, Carl.  Stillie and I wanted to be able to talk to you after the service, but perhaps a ride would be a better introduction anyway.  We wouldn't have missed that service for anything.  I found it so interesting that the different people who represented the different times in his life all came together in one place to honor him. 

We miss your dad, but know he smiles on us whenever either of us throws a leg over.