In addition to being a prominent businessman, Bruce Rossmeyer was involved in many charitable activities for the community. In 2007, the company employed about 500, including 125 in Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach.ĭaytona Beach Mayor Glenn Ritchey said the news "is a terrible tragedy for our area. He opened the 109,000-square-foot Destination Daytona in October 2005. In the next 15 years, he became one of the nation's largest Harley dealers, with 13 dealerships in Florida, Colorado, Massachusetts, Mississippi and Tennessee. He opened his first motorcycle business, a Harley-Davidson dealership on Beach Street in Daytona Beach, in January 1994. One of the largest Harley-Davidson dealers in the nation, Rossmeyer also co-owned three automobile dealerships. He and his wife also lived in Fort Lauderdale. Rossmeyer continued every year to hold similar fundraising rides for Victory Junction and other charities.īorn in New Jersey in May 1943, Rossmeyer was a long-time resident of Ormond Beach. Rossmeyer helped him to form Victory Junction Gang Camp in North Carolina after years of taking part in the local ride for children. NASCAR driver Kyle Petty formed his own camp for children modeled after Camp Boggy Creek after the death of his son. In a 2006 interview with The Daytona Beach News-Journal, Rossmeyer said, "When you go over there and see the results of those kids who are having such a good time, it just gets into your heart." "All you had to do was see him around the campers and you knew there was no false smoke. This is just horrible," said Sarah Gurtis, spokeswoman for Boggy Creek. He continued serving on the board of Camp Boggy Creek, southwest of DeLand, and was excited, officials say, at the June meeting describing the plans for the 15th annual Daytona Harley-Davidson Ride for Children in October. "He overcame some challenges and got in trouble as a young man and said the kids in the club remind him a lot of him." "He was a champion for kids here," said Joe Sullivan, chief professional officer for the Boys & Girls Club of Volusia and Flagler Counties. Rossmeyer's heart for children was a big part of his life, local officials say, whether it was contributing and helping to found Camp Boggy Creek for children with life-threatening illnesses or helping the Boys & Girls Clubs, including the Rossmeyer Family Holly Hill club, named in his honor. "I don't think most people really saw the giving side of him." "I grew up with his kids, and see the family side," he said. Those who only know Rossmeyer from his billboards as they cruise down the highway miss the heart of the man, Curtis said. "But he's the biggest legend to his family. "He's a risk-taker, a pioneer and a legend," Curtis said. Tim Curtis, owner of Houligan's Irish Sports Pub in Ormond Beach, grew up with Bruce and Sandra Rossmeyer's five children - Mandy, Wendy, Randy, Will and Shelly - and said his thoughts and prayers are with the family. The media will be notified when they are." In Ormond Beach, a woman at the front desk of the Harley dealership at Destination Daytona said, "The family isn't ready to make a statement. Rossmeyer's wife, Sandy, and two of their children were waiting for him in Sturgis, Pfeiffer said Thursday night. From there they were planning to ride to Sturgis. Rossmeyer had attended a Harley dealers meeting in Denver and was headed for Thermopolis, Wyo., where he planned to meet a group of custom bike builders called the Hamsters, Grady Pfeiffer, a friend of Rossmeyer's and spokesman for the Hamsters told the Rapid City (S.D.) Journal. "We do see an influx of motorcycle traffic this time of year," he said. He was declared dead at the scene.ĭickerson described the road as "straight, dry and flat." He said the "extremely rural road" is an option to Sturgis, but not the primary way to travel there. Rossmeyer, who was not wearing a helmet, was ejected from his bike and came to rest under the camp trailer, Dickerson said. The sixth motorcycle swerved to the right and avoided collision." Rossmeyer attempted to pass, the truck made its left turn and he hit the driver's side door. "Four of the motorcycles passed to the left. "The pickup slowed and activated his left signal," Lt. with five other motorcyclists when they came up to a pickup pulling a camp trailer and tried to pass, according to the Wyoming Highway Patrol. Rossmeyer, 66, was traveling in the western part of the state in Sweetwater County on Highway 28 about 11 a.m. DAYTONA BEACH - Bruce Rossmeyer, one of the nation's largest Harley-Davidson dealers and a supporter of charitable causes that helped thousands of children, was killed Thursday in a motorcycle crash in Wyoming as he made his way to the Sturgis, S.D., motorcycle rally
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