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Gold Wing Road Riders Association
“ Friends for Fun, Safety and Knowledge”
Mall City Wings
News and Reviews
Great Lakes Region D
•
Chapter MI-D
•
www.mallcitywings.org
Wing News
By Dave Wing
Chapter Director
Hello Funseekers.
T
his issue isn't talking so much
about the fun that we will have
but the fun and memories that we
had with Bill Hendrick and of
course his bride Ruth. We are dedicating this newsletter to Bill and all
the pleasant memories that we
shared with him.
I haven't been riding with our
group this past month as I have
been in northern New York riding.
On my way home I was thinking
about what to write about this
month. Then I got home and
opened my emails to see the sad
news about Bill. My mind shifted to
thinking about him and the memories that we have shared with him
and Ruth. They may not be in order
as my memory might not be as accurate as it once was.
I first met Bill and Ruth during my
first gathering that I attended at the
Old Country Buffet in Portage. Dee
Miller greeted me and filled me in a
little about the group and introduced me to Bill and Ruth. I believe
this was in 2006. Shortly after that
was our District Rally in Midland
which I thought was a good thing
to attend. I didn't know anyone else
that was going so I packed up my
tent and headed for Midland. On
the way it started to rain so I
July 25, 2015
Chapter Gathering
Comstock Community
Center
6330 King Highway
Comstock, MI
8:30 a.m. Donuts
9:00 a.m. Meeting
Ride to be determined
•
July 2015
stopped at a rest area and along
came Bill and Ruth. I wasn't sure
but I thought they might have been
the people that I met at the gathering. Sure enough it was. Bill right
away asked me to join them. They
were staying at the Holiday Inn but
took me to the fairgrounds as I didn't have a GPS yet. In fact I didn't
even have a dew rag which Bill noticed right away and gave me one
that he had and told me to keep it. I
thought they were just a fashion
statement so Bill filled me in on
their purpose. I still have and wear
Continued on page 2
Come ride with
us!
All bikes are
welcome.
Mall City Wings
that dew rag. In fact I wore it on
the way home from New York.
When the rally was over they came
by the fairgrounds and led me
home. I think Bill realized that I
didn't have much experience touring and he started sharing his
knowledge with me. I did find that
"Ruth GPS" could override the one
on the bike. I had a very enjoyable
time and experience with them
which made me want to come back
and be a part of our group.
Another memory I had was going
on my first men's campout. We
meet at the BP gas station on D
Avenue and always leave at 8:30 am
sharp. On the way someone asked
about another man not being there
and by Bill’s response of “Oh I told
him we were leaving at 9:00,” I
thought Bill didn't want him to ride
with us. I found that was just his
sense of humor. During the same
trip, we went to a restaurant where
the group ate breakfast every year.
The waitress came over and planted
a big lipstick kiss on the top of Bill's
forehead. I guess that was something that one of the guys planted
in her head on a previous year
which became a ritual. It seems like
that has happened at other restaurants too. Bill always took it in
stride and may have laughed harder
then the rest of us.
June 2015
Page 2
I remember Bill and Ruth being our
"Couple of the Year" and riding all
over to other chapter meetings and
rallies.
Last August at the site of my accident, Bill was there using his EMS
training to cut off my glove and
bandage my hand. I remember
looking up and seeing him. He was
90 at the time doing care for someone else. I guess we kind of thought
that he would always be there with
us. Depending on your beliefs
maybe he will be riding with us. At
least in our minds. I am sure we will
fondly think and talk about him for
years to come.
Bill was like a magnet drawing people to him. Always interesting and
willing to share a story or information. You did have to listen carefully and keep your mind sharp or
you might miss some of his humor.
I will miss him.
Mall City Wings
June 2015
Page 3
May Gathering
By Dee Miller
O
n a soggy May 30, we had a
small group of 14 with one
motorcycle in the parking lot, and it
wasn't Chaney's. It was Tony who
left home in dry conditions. Both
Dave and Wendell were out of
town leaving Roger to conduct the
meeting which started at 9 am and
concluded at 9:16. (TAKE NOTE
DAVE)
We planned Friday rides, asked
members to take raffle tickets (no
takers), talked about the decision
regarding Parade of Homes, and
upcoming rides and rallies. Tony
gave us an update on Lois and her
recovery from back surgery. Marge
is also recovering from surgery. Get
well wishes to both of these ladies.
Prayers to Bill who wasn't feeling
up to joining us.
For Rider Ed, we had a discussion
about visibility and accessories to
increase it.
Chapter Pride: Donna Simonton
50/50: Tony Salvaggio (for rain
gear)
Rider Education
By Dave Wing
own ride." Sometimes the speed or
route that the leader is taking may
not be to our liking. It is always our
option to leave the group, go to the
back or just to say that you will
meet everyone at the destination.
Whatever you decide let someone
know what you are doing. Speak
up, like Bill would do.
B
eing safe and mishap free on
any ride should be at the forefront of our thoughts when riding.
Since this is dedicated to Bill it
comes to my mind that Bill and
Ruth always wore their gear all of
the time. I believe they were wearing full face helmets the first time
that I rode with them. When I
heard the statement that if you go
down and your head hits the pavement that there is a good chance
that you will have an injury to your
jaw, nose or any skin that is not
covered, I knew I would wear a helmet all the time. Still this is a choice
just like not wearing a helmet is in a
lot of states. Those of us that have
had mishaps are glad that we had
our full face or modular helmets on.
I remember Bill mentioning to people riding behind him that they
were riding too close to him for his
comfort level. We have to look out
for our bodies and safety. Sometimes we may not realize what we
are doing and appreciate the info. It
might save us too. We always ride
staggered in group riding sometimes we forget that too. Of course
riding on our
Michigan roads
we may not be
able to ride staggered because of
the potholes and
road conditions.
When riding in a
straight line we
might think
about leaving a
little more distance between
bikes. When
group riding,
always have the
thought of
"Riding your
Hope to see you soon on a safe
ride.
June 2015
Mall City Wings
Wendell’s Notes
By Wendell Nielsen
Assistant Chapter Director
Hello "Wingers,"
I
t's with sadness, I write this article for our newsletter. This week
our friend Bill Hendrick passed
away.
In the few years I've known Bill as a
member of Chapter D, he always
Page 4
had a smile on his face
and a gift of welcoming
people.
I recently read: "success
is a journey, not a destination" and this best
describes the life of Bill
Hendrick.
Listening to Bill talk
about his journey
through life, it was an
adventure for him. Bill
grew up during the Depression and served in
the US Navy during
WWII in the Philippines. Bill lived
and owned a successful business in
Galesburg for many years.
Bill's passion for "living life" took
him on many journeys, whether
flying his airplane or riding his motorcycles. Whether Thursday morning "Old Dog" breakfasts and rides,
the Men's Campout in Interlochen,
or Chapter rides over the years,
your "smile and company" will
missed by all.
To Ruth and family our condolences for your loss, from your
"Goldwing" family.
Chapter D Officers
Dave Wing
Wendell Nielsen
Kay Schanzenbaker
Open officer position
Open officer position
Chapter D Team
Gary McKee
Mike Wood
Rusty Shelburne
Kathy VanLeeuwen
Chapter Director/Rider Ed.
Assistant Chapter Director
Treasurer
Rider Education
Membership/Charity Liaison
269-657-2946
269-382-2843
269-962-9437
dwingding@yahoo.com
gwendell51@yahoo.com
tschanzcnb@aol.com
Sunshine Guy
Ride Coordinator
Webmaster
Newsletter Editor
269-963-6111
517-543-6257
269-324-3695
269-501-3205
margemmckee@yahoo.com
woodmd59@gmail.com
rwshelburne@yahoo.com
kmvanleeuwen@hotmail.com
MI District Directors
Assistant District Directors
989-426-3828
810-397-1813
bobscott@ejourney.com
micouple2013@gmail.com
Region Directors
989-429-9144
gwrramiteam@gmail.com
Michigan District Directors
Bob and Kim Scott
Bill and Linda Diffin
Region Directors
Lee and Kay Tieche
Mall City Wings
June 2015
Memories of Bill
By Bruce & Christy Hughes
B
ruce and I were once very active in GWRRA Chapter I
(Battle Creek), but seemed to get
busy with other things after the
chapter merged with Chapter D.
Nevertheless, Bruce and I have remained very close friends with Bill
& Ruth ever since meeting them 910 years ago. We both have wintered in the Zephyrhills FL area for
the past five years and during that
time, took many rides together,
which - as well-trained Goldwingers
- almost always included a lunch
destination. As many know, Bill is
quite a catfish aficionado and I had
a lot of fun planning rides designed
to take in eateries serving highly
rated catfish for Bill within 100 mile
radius of Zephyrhills. He taught us
about removing the "mud vein" to
improve the taste of filet and always
made quite a ceremony of it at the
table when the kitchen had not already done so.
During our meal, he was always
able to entertain us with stories of
his WWII pursuits, business ventures, and many pleasure trips he
took across the country in his vari-
ous airplanes and RVs
over the years. We also
had the privilege of
vacationing together in
other places, including
"Scootercade" in
Eureka Springs and on
a steam-powered paddle boat cruise down
the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers.
Bill & Ruth were always full of fun & energy, despite their age,
and were a great inspiration to all regarding
how to live life to its
fullness until the very
end. We loved them
and will greatly miss
our dear friend, Bill.
Page 5
Mall City Wings
June 2015
Page 6
Bill and the Rio Grand River
By Jerry Boody
just getting up, and the first thing
he said was “did I get any pictures?”
I told him no but if he wanted to
do it again I would take some but
he declined. He was 82 at the time,
a tough old guy and I will miss him.
I
n 2006, we stopped at a steep
look out near the Rio Grand
River shortly after this photo was
taken. Bill lost his footing and fell
completely over next to a foot high
wall leading down to the river.
When I looked back I could not see
him, only the bottom of the bike.
So I ran down to him and he was
Bill and the Landing Gear!
By Roger Miller
started a lasting friendship.
here do you start when talking about a man who meant
so much to so many? Bill and I met
in 1996 after Dee called him when
seeing him as a new member on our
membership list. She invited him
to come to chapter D's meeting,
Bill said he would be ready, and that
My favorite memory of Bill was the
time Gary Geeting installed Bill’s
landing gear on his 1500. After installation we all took a test ride.
Gary ended up in a ditch, and I
ended up in a guys front yard on
my ride. When I got back, Bill
W
jumped on and immediately ran
into the back of Gary's garage,
where the dent can still be seen today.
Dee and I will miss seeing Bill's
smiling face, but know that some
day we will meet again. Love you
Bill!
Mall City Wings
Special Days
July
7/3
7/4
7/10
7/23
7/26
7/31
Birthdays
Richard Freeman
God Bless the USA
Dale Simonton
Gary McKee
Leola Inglehart
Jean Wing
No July Anniversaries
Buy or Sell
FOR SALE:
2001 Oldenkamp Magneta cargo
trailer. Have to check in mirrors to
make sure it’s still there going down
the road, hauls excellent! Need to
make room, I don't need 2 trailers!
Asking $350 call Wendell Nielsen at
269-370-4130.
Tonneau Cover for 6.5 ft. truck bed
$100. Contact Jim Lash at 377-4447.
To place an item in this column, email
Kathy VanLeeuwen at kmvanleeuwen@hotmail.com.
June 2015
Page 7
2015 Mission
Gifts
Activities/
Rides
Thank you to all members who
participate in the Mission Gift
drawing and donate the prize to
help the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission.
June
Marge McKee
July
Dee Lash
August
Laurie Shelburne
September Dee Miller
October
Lois Salvaggio
November Kathy Hausman
Please call or email Kay Schanzenbaker if you are going to the
dinners for a count for table reservations.
Down the Road
July 24-25, 2015
Region D Rally
Jay County Fairgrounds
Portland, IN
Michigan District Rally
August 20-22, 2015
Osceola County
Fairgrounds, Evart, MI
Wing Ding 37
September 3-6, 2015
Huntsville, Alabama
Region D “Fun at Sea”
Western Caribbean
Cruise
October 24-29, 2015
More into on web site
July 11, 2015
10:00 a.m.
Mystery Ride
Meet at exit 85
July 17, 2015
6:00 p.m.
Frankies in Three Rivers
Meet at exit 85
July 25, 2015
Chapter Gathering
Comstock Community Center
6330 King Highway
Comstock, MI
8:30 a.m. Donuts
9:00 a.m. Meeting
Ride to Laura’s Little Burger Joint
Decatur, MI