1975 June (ode to mom)

This article is dedicated in memory to my wife, Rosamarie, who at the age of 35, on the morning on 19 June, died of injuries sustained in a tragic motorcycle accident six days earlier. The late Sunday afternoon ride ended when a 15 year old boy rod his bicycle into the path of Rosie's Honda.

Luckily, the boy survived with only a slight concussion and a bruised knee. II thank God that Rosie suffered no pain as she remained in a coma from the beginning to the very end.

Rosie was an enthusiastic motorcyclist and held the distinction of being the only woman rider in our European group. After riding many years on the back of my motorcycle, she decided in 1972 to purchase her own bike, a Honda 500 fully equipped for touring with full fairing, tank bag and saddlebags. Every summer for three we toured Europe on our vacations - England, Scotland, Wales, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and of course throughout Germany. She attended Mike Krauser's European Tour Rallies for three years running and stayed up with the the best of them. She attended many other rallies as well.

Motorcycling was in her blood, whether for a short spin, a weekend trip, a vacation - any excuse to ride she took. I considered her an excellent rider, a safe rider, and a rider who enjoyed commandeering a motorcycle through its paces as she felt the exhilaration of curving, winding roads on a warm sunny day.

Although Rosie was not a BMer, she liked what BMWMOA stood for and liked BMW folks. She was a great help in editing and suggesting topics for this column. I know that many of you that knew her will miss her as my seven year old son Michael and I do.

Please ride safely.