July 30, 09, 3.00 pm EST. It’s with infinite sadness that I inform all of you that Bruce Rossmeyer was killed this morning around 11.15 am, local hour, near Rock Springs, Wyoming while riding his motorcycle with a group of 5 friends. The group was riding from Denver, CO to join this afternoon the yearly Hamster’s ride to Sturgis. Although the details of the accident are still sketchy, his riding friends tell me that Bruce Rossmeyer was the last of the group to pass a Recreational Vehicle when apparently this same RV went left in his lane.
Rossmeyer, a long-time Daytona Beach resident, was “retired” from the automobile business when he purchased in January 1994 his first Harley-Davidson dealership in Daytona Beach, Florida. It’s when I met him, his wife and children for the first time. Bruce wanted to do something fun in his retirement and we all know how hugely successful he became in the motorcycle business. Then, he followed with the addition of New Smyrna Harley-Davidson in 1997, Grand Junction Harley-Davidson in 1997, Ft. Lauderdale Harley-Davidson in 1998, Harley-Davidson of Pompano in 2002, and Aspen Valley Harley Davidson in 2002. When the new Ft. Lauderdale facility opened in December 2001, the existing store turned into the police and fleet sales division. In October 2005 he opened “Destination Daytona” in Ormond Beach, FL, the world’s largest Harley-Davidson dealership. Destination Daytona also includes an amphitheater, restaurants, bars, and a huge vending area where, like many of friends of the industry, I have displayed my bikes and parts. The total “Destination Daytona” encompasses over 150 acres. Another South Florida dealership, Sunrise Harley-Davidson was completed by the end of 2006 in Sunrise. In February 2006, Bruce purchased Southern Thunder Harley-Davidson located in Horn Lake, MS. He also owned 3 Harley-Davidson stores.
More important than the Harley-Davidson empire that he created, Bruce Rossmeyer was always supportive of all those, small or big companies, making a living in this business, with a special affection he had for all Artists and Custom Builders of the industry. In addition he was an extremely active communitarian and a huge benefactor of a great number of charities
Bruce was 66 years old. He is survived by his wife Sandy, five children (Mandy, Wendy, Randy, Will & Shelly) all involved in his businesses, and seven grandchildren. My deepest condolences to all his family, associates and friends.
Update 07/30/09, 10.20 pm EST. The Wyoming Highway Patrol says that Rossmeyer and 5 other bikers were headed east on Highway 28 in Sweetwater County, WY when they were trailing a Ford pickup truck pulling a 2-axle camper style trailer. The truck driver Robert L. VanValkenburg, 73, of Rock Springs, WY, slowed down and began making a left turn and Rossmeyer tried to pass him when they collided. The highway patrol report states that Rossmeyer was not wearing a helmet and that VanValkenburg’s truck and camper turn signals and brake lights were working at the time of the crash.
Although I did not personally know Bruce, I’d like to extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends ….
Bruce was my biggest mentor, dear friend, supporter and hero in so many ways it is hard to express or accept his passing. He touched so many and was a true leader in every way. He was warm, kind, strong, knowing and giving with one of the biggest hearts. Everyone has a story to tell about Bruce. Bruce I miss you. Thank you for making a difference in my life.
I hope those that know him will use Cyril’s blog to share their best thoughts and memories for his family and dear friends. They are in my prayers.
Carrie
Very Sad News!
Condolences to his family!
This is a sad day ! My condolences to Bruces family and friends ..RIP Bruce
I cannot express my sadness at losing a friend and leader like Bruce. He was always fair and honest to do business with. All my best wishes to his family, friends, and employees. Bruce will be missed he always treated me with the same respect he asked of others. Bruce was a visionary and always thought huge. He then would make things happen. I will miss him and so will the whole motorcycle industry. Bruce was a true leader. Good night sleep in peace Bruce
Oh No I said this morning.
RIP Mr. Rossmeyer. You were a big inspiration to many of us biker shop wannabes.
May you rest in peace along side the best in Heaven. We’ll always remember your enthusiasm during Daytona Bike Week. What a champion?
WOW. Sad day biker friends.
BikerMarc.
I am so sorry! Bruce’s family and friends will be in my prayers. He did great things for the kids at Boggy Creek. RIP
Sad day for us all. What an impressive person long will live his memory.
Condolences to his family
My regards to Bruce, his family and all those who enjoyed Bruce’s spirit of freedom. He is a giant soul and will be missed by all of us.
Dann Sullivan
Killer Creek H-D, Atlanta
A unique man, whos passing leaves a huge gap in the story………………….RIP Bruce and my best thoughts for the family who has to live in the vacuum.
He was agiant and we all loved him
With deepest sympathy.
Thoughts go out to his family.
Bruce Rossmeyer may you rest in piece. I am so sorry to hear this terrible news and my prayers go out to all his family and friends.
Maybe something positive can come from this. Like stronger laws putting the murders in prison that carelessly run motorcyclist off the highways.
God Bless you Bruce.
I met Bruce Rossmeyer in the early 1990’s. He was one of the most intelligent people on the planet. His was a genius at business and marketing. He treated everyone with utmost respect. He was bigger than life. I always saw Bruce at the Orlando Magic games where he sat courtside. When Bruce walked into a room the entire room came alive. He did so much for charities. I worked on several promotions over the years that supported the Boggey Creek Gang. Bruce had so much passion for the children supported by this wonderful organization. He gave back to so many that were less fortunate. Bruce and his family are in my thoughts and prayers. I will miss Bruce and his wondeful passion for life. He was a great man !
Heartfelt condolences to Bruce’s family and friends. Our staff has met him many times over the years and he was a wonderful man.
I just finished my motorcycle class there 3 weeks ago. I have lived in the Daytona beach area for 35 yrs, and know Bruce has done so much for the community. He will be missed by millions, even us new to motorcycles
My heart is broken, our thoughts and prayers are with all of you! Lots of love to The Rossmeyer Family.
I am saddened by the loss of Bruce Rossmeyer, I just was there in March for Bike week and traded my 1986 sportster in for a 1999 Road King, I hear that my sportster is on display as part of his classic collection there in Daytona. What an honor, he will be missed and I am glad that I had the opportunity to purchase the bike of my dreams at Bruce’s shop in March.
Is sad to hear that Bruce Rossmeyer was killed on way to Sturgis. He will be missed…… My condolences to his family……
I hate to hear about anybody killed on a bike
Bruce built a truly unique site at Destination Daytona and will be missed by all.
Godspeed Bruce, I’m glad to have met you on one of the Harley-Davidson dealer trips. My heart goes out to your family and close friends. You brought a lot of excitement to our sport.
With sympathy and condolences to his friends and family
Bruce, once again we thank you for being the whale in our industry, allowing us, the pilot fish/mompop biz ,to feed off your success. You acknowledged our appreciation then and we express it now .. May you continue your success in the heavens above and perhaps one day we will all ride together. You are already soooo greatly missed !!!!!!!!!!!! Our hearts and prayers reach out to your family and friends and the motorcycle community and may you rest in peace dear sir.
Bruce was always the “go too” guy when anything needed to be done in this industry. Bruce is truly an icon in the motorcycle industry ….. a great vaccum now exists in his absence. My deepest sympathy and condolences to his friends and family. Ride in peace big guy!
Over & Out,
Jeff
RIP Bruce … you will be missed. Our deepest sympathy to his family, friends, employee’s and others who have been touched by this man.
Wow- sobering news….. The Icon among dealers…. The sun sets on a great run…..
Cyril,
Thanks for being a true reporter and getting details like no other report has thus far today… and crafting a story all your own. I can always rely on you for the real story. The circumstances surrounding Bruce’s death are all too similar to what happened to Click Baldwin last year. It all sucks any way you look at it. I’ve been sick all day over this.
I am sorry we lost such an icon in the industry. I did get to meet him at Southern Thunder Harley Davidson dealership and shake his hand and I liked him the first time I met him. My prayers go out to his family and friends. He will be missed.
Harry, Hernando,MS
The entire PIPE DREAMZ crew is saddened by the loss of this GIANT of a man. A lot has been made of his acomplishments .But,.all his many kind deeds and generous donations will never be known as he quietly avoided the fanfare and supported numerous social causes unknown to the public. His heart was actually bigger then his stature!. His kindness and generosity will forever be engraved on his resting place in heaven..Who can forget his smile? GOD SPEED! All our love and prayers to his family. There is a NEW STAR IN HEAVEN TONIGHT, Ben Faiella and crew.,
Our heart goes out to Bruce’s family with deepest sympathy and condolences. RIP Bruce and my God Bless your soul.
Very sad news – Sturgis will be a quieter place this year for his passing. Our condolences from all at Back Street Heroes to Bruce’s wife, children and family.
Wow, I also hate to hear Anybody Killed on a Bike, especially without a Helmet ! I know it’s about Choice ! What a Dumb Choice ! Maybe it might have made a difference and maybe not! I think He could have saved more lives getting People to wear Helmets than He did Charity Work. I wish Your Family the coping skills and that they always remember you and their Children remember your Spirit I know you were a great Father!
From Spain, my condolences to a dreamer
We have lost a great advocate, and my utmost, sincerest and respectful condolensces go to the remaing family.
curtis3577
There are way to many people that put on a right turn signal only to turn left. Some don’t use turn signals at all. If we went back to the hand signals this would help tremendously.
Quik Chanj
curtis3577
big man, big influence, big personality, big loss
RIP Bruce
condolences to his family & friends
It is a shame that he has left us. It is the simple mistakes that sometimes makes a huge difference. He will be missed and my condolences go out to his family. Damn shame.
Bruce Rossmeyer’s name was well known up here in Canada among all
the Harley-Davidson dealers and riders.
He was a true brother to so many, and always took the time to be accessible
and chat with anyone that shared the passion for two wheels.
He was truly bigger than life and he had a smile that lifted your spirits.
Thank you Bruce for all that you have done for the motorcycle industry!
We shall not see another brother like you my friend.
With sympathy and condolences to his family and his many friends.
RIP, Bruce. My condolences to his family and friends. Every time a member of the motorcycling community goes down it hurts us all.
Ride Safe!
Curt!
Very sad news. We had got wind of it through our newtwork of dealers and we were all in shock to hear the news. RIP dear friend and our condolenses to your family.
Please ride safe everyone.
-Sam Costa
Custom Chrome
All i can say is that really sucks.
Nobody wants to go, but at least it was doing what he loved
So Sorry to hear this this morning. One of the truely GREAT Guys in this industry.
He always made time to visit in Daytona. After hearing this I can’t beleive it’s been a year since Click’s passing…
RIP to a Big Man with a Big Heart!!!
My sincere condolonces to freinds and family.
Dougie
Bruce was a remarkable man. In these past few years he played a major role in my life. At first the jet & big ideas scared me, but I learned to love him. Between the truck he gave me, enabling me to collaborate on commemorating the 30th years of the passing of Elvis, the Elvis monument and the his portrait in bronze, he has been involved in my life intensely for the past 4 years. That bust now has a new meaning for me. Jesse called & broke the news to me yesterday & we discussed how he had blessed both of our careers & that of so my others. I will miss him dearly, he taught me so much. My condolences to his family.
It is with great sorrow and a heavy heart that we hear of the passing of a true industry icon. To Bruce’s family; remember the good times with great pride and know that Bruce did indeed touch many in a positive way.
Chief Tecumseh once said, “Live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart”. Great words for all of us…
Respecfully,
Mark Moses
Indian Motorcycle Charlotte
Last year it was our Hamster brother Click Baldwin, and now Bruce. Truley a sad day for all of us that were touched by his life. Our heartfelt condolences to the family.
Bruce is truly a unique icon in our motorcycle industry, and his passing will definitely leave a sadden void in the lives of many. My deepest condolences to my friends Mandy, Shelly, Will, and the rest of his family.
Bruce, I’m glad to have worked with you, and even better to have partied with you…
Godspeed
So sorry to hear about this wonderful man…. I can’t even find the words, it’s too shocking. My best to his family. He was a very loved person!
Such sad news. I got to spend time with Bruce when I did the portrait of him for GEICO, he really was a kind hearted guy, that showed through in such a big way. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family…
What a great person. Will miss you, It was great to know you. God bless
the family in these tough times.
All the Best to Bruce’s family and loved ones.
I purchased an ’08 Ultra Classic in Ormond Beach last year and he gave me the best price in 3 states along with the highest rad-in value.
Hopefully his legacy will continue because we will all miss him and what he does for the industry.
R.I.P.
Boss Hawg
Don’t know what to say… My condolences to family and friends…
My condolences to his family and friends. He is a person who will be missed by many. It is a shame that he is gone……..
What difference does it make whether he was wearing a helmet or not, motorcycles rarelly come out ahead in a collision with a car or truck.
My condolences to family and friends…I meet Bruce @ Sturgis in 2006 when i worked there for broken spoke…very sad to hear this news…all of us that ride here in daytona will miss you!
Our sincerest condolences to Bruce’s family and friends. I’ve had the opportunity and pleasure of running into Bruce at multiple functions at many events. I always dug talking to him and taking those occasional pictures together for any photographer from any biker magazines who would ask us to pose for them. We cordially obliged and it’s moments like that, that assures me that with persistence, determination and continuous action that my wife and I will reach our goals. The girl who wrote my biography even had the pleasure of interviewing Bruce for one of the biker magazines she worked for. It will be difficult to look across the room and not see him there, but he’s just in the next room and I’m sure he could see us all. We pray for your family’s peace.
Sinseriously,
Anna & Jimmy a/k/a ICE CREAM MAN FROM HELL
http://www.icmfh.com
I didn’t know Bruce personally, but came to feel I knew him through articles about his businesses. He is a man who lived 100 years of life in the 66 years he was on the planet. To his family and friends, I send my thoughts and prayers.
I got to meet Bruce at a Boggy Creek Ride For The Children and loved him from the moment I did. He did so much for those children and I know that’s he’s in heaven with some of them now.
When you got a hug from Bruce…..you knew you were hugged!!! God Bless you great man!
The motorcycle world will not be the same without Bruce. His loss is felt so strongly by the motorcycle industry which does not compare to that felt by his family. You were an icon Bruce. May your legacy live on.
The staff at Wyked Illuzionz, LED Lights for Motorcycles
Have known Bruce since college—he has always been a good friend even though we only saw each other a couple of times a year.
I will miss his trememdous laugh
Larry Rule
My condolences to Bruce’s Family. He was truly an icon in the motorcycle industry and he will be missed. I truly hope that people respect his family and friends and keep the comments pleasant in this time of morning. We will miss Bruce and his larger than life persona and hope that his memory will continue in the motorcycle industry for years to come.
Please keep in mind that there are other victims in this tragedy as well. My prayers go out to the family of Robert L. Van Valkenburg.
God Bless,
Sharpo
My condolences to Bruces family and friends ..RIP Bruce
Our Prayers and respect go out to Family and Friends a great American success story and ICON in the industry so sorry to hear this news .
Respect,
WILLIE
A sad day for everyone. Thoughts and Prayers go out to his family.
Fortunately I met Bruce Rossmeyer once in Daytona during bike week.
Immediately I knew there was something extra special about HIM.
His hand shake, his kind caring smile and the angelic twinkle in his eye.
He had a zest for the life we so cherish. During his relatively short time in the industry he became a legend.
His philanthropic dedication to the KIDS is phenomenal to put it mildly.
This man is still responsible for his OWN unique GLOBAL WARMING!
My heartfelt sorrow goes out to all those left behind to grieve including the truck driver who will never be the same man.
I wonder if we the riding community can reap a little bit of Mister Rossmeyer’s kindness and attempt to emulate his gestures of charity and open hearted kindness toward each other…Let’s do it for Brucie and ALL HIS KIDS he cared so deeply for.
Godspeed
So sorry to hear this sad news. Deepest condolences to the Rossmeyer and entire HD family. From an aspiring biker in Ireland. God bless Bruce, Ride Free.
Bruce was one of the most imaginative, courageouse and inspired entreprenuers of our times…He openly offered us all encougement and vision…Ross is not replaceble…We are all fortunate to have seen this giant man live life to the ultimate…Ross breathed life into us…He passes over leaving us all better than we were…We will not see these kind of business skills and total commitment come our way in this lifetime again…
We are so sorry to here of this terrible tragedy. My family and I vacation in Daytona every year and enjoy stopping in his Harley dealerships. Our thoughts & prayers go out to his family & freinds.
I am a relatively new rider/took my hd class. In ft myers fl in early sept of 06 and bought a hd in 07/never met bruce but was saddened and stunned to learn of his death ths past summer/only found out tody on line/mr rossmyer is an excellent example of terrible things happening to ANY one of us/his death was /is like a gut check 4me/im sad 4 his wife and children and all his friends/ rest in peace
Really are no words. Lost a good friend when an 80 year old man did the same thing in WI. Hope this person realizes what he took from us all. Too sad.
RIP
ATGATT
Here it is February 15th 2010 and I just found out Bruce died over 6 months ago. I am just moving to Daytona and have always visited his big dealership when ever I was in town. I live eat and breathe Harleys….I can’t believe I didn’t hear about his death sooner…what a blow!! I am planning on putting in my application for part time work there and was hoping to meet him sometime…so much for meeting Mr. Rossmeyer. Again, what a blow 🙁
I’am sorry to hear that Bruce died, I was just told of the sad news today, I just would like to say I had the chance to meet Bruce in person Jan.2008 the day I got my first harley, He had told me its really something, You feel free when you ride there’s nothing like it, Well Bruce you were wright, I loved it from day one, Now your free and riding with the big dog live to ride ride to live. Thanks Bruce for getting me in to ridding bike’s and selling me my first Harley. Everytime I ride I be thinking of you rest in peace your friend Jason from london ont.
If he had been wearing his helmet then he would be alive today! To all those who think its cool to not wear a helmet then you need to learn from Bruce. Its sad!