Memorial Stone Placement For Rich Merrill

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Hi all-

I just got word from Judi, Rich Merrill's long-time girlfriend, that she has a memorial stone ready and would like all of Rich's VFRD friends to join her in placing it. I understand that it is a simple engraved rock that she wants to place where he came to rest. Any of you are welcome, even if you never got the chance to meet Rich.

Judi asks that we meet on Mary's Peak, which is located on Hwy 34 just west of Philomath, OR, between 1 and 2 pm on Sunday, August 31. I would suggest we meet at the turnoff from Hwy 34 at the base of the road going up to the peak at 12:30 pm.

If folks would like to have lunch beforehand, we can meet at the CD&J cafe in Philomath at 11 am. Rich and I liked that place and we often met there before our rides.

Hoping to see many of you - Judi will appreciate having you there.

Keith

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Ride forever Rich

I will see you at the cafe at for lunch.

Portlanders, we should probably leave around 9:15 if we want to get there in time for lunch at 11:00.

Keithbob,

On the date you mentioned for the ceremony is August 31st. This is a Sunday not Saturday. Is the memorial on Saturday the 30th or Sunday the 31st of August? I never meet Rich, but will try and attend.

Thanks,

RingO

keithbobHi all-

I just got word from Judi, Rich Merrill's long-time girlfriend, that she has a memorial stone ready and would like anyone from VFRD who knew Rich to join her in placing it. I understand that it is a simple engraved rock that she wants to place where he came to rest.

Judi asks that we meet on Mary's Peak, which is located on Hwy 34 just west of Philomath, OR, between 1 and 2 pm on Saturday, August 31. I would suggest we meet at the turnoff from Hwy 34 at the base of the road going up to the peak at 12:30 pm.

If folks would like to have lunch beforehand, we can meet at the CD&J cafe in Philomath at 11 am. Rich and I liked that place and we often met there before our rides.

Hoping to see many of you - Judi will appreciate having you there.

Keith

I'll be there in spirit, if not physically.

Darth BlingI will see you at the cafe at for lunch.

Portlanders, we should probably leave around 9:15 if we want to get there in time for lunch at 11:00.

Sounds goood Tim.

maddogI'll be there in spirit, if not physically.

Ditto.

Very cool.

Thanks Keith... I won't be able to make it up... but I'll be thinking of my RC brother Rich none the less...

RingO_89On the date you mentioned for the ceremony is August 31st. This is a Sunday not Saturday. Is the memorial on Saturday the 30th or Sunday the 31st of August? I never meet Rich, but will try and attend.

Oops! My mistake. It is SUNDAY, August 31. I have edited the original post to the correct date. Thanks, and I look forward to seeing you.

And thank you to all who will be there in spirit. I suggest a nice ride that day, wherever you are.

Thanks for the notice and my thoughts will be with you. Of course, you never know if a crazy Canadian will just hop on the bike and go????

Sarah and I will meet you in Philomath. In Rich's honor, yes, we will have to tear highway 34 a new one... wink.gif

Awesome thing folks, I would love to attend just to honor a fellow member/rider even though I've never met any West Coast members. Maybe some day a local member can take me to the spot if I ever get to tour the West on the VFR.

I will be there in my thoughts and hope you have a perfect day and great turnout! :rolleyes:

In 2004 we did something similar for TexasMac(Brian) who was the first VFRD member lost.

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Topic pinned!

Just a bump for those that may not have seen this and want to come. All are welcome!

I lost blkrabbbits number or I would call him. I have 2 friends coming from up north to attend

how long of a ride from Seattle is it and what is the best route to take?

windwalkerhow long of a ride from Seattle is it and what is the best route to take?

Philomath, OR is 95 miles from the WA/OR border I-5. Mary's Peak is another 20 miles past Philomath.

If you're trying to make good time, I'd suggest slabbing it down I-5 from Seattle.

Will be thinking of you guys on Sunday. Ride safe!

GypsyCat

I'd love to go for a ride with some new folks, but I have a question... just how quick a bunch are y'all? I'm just getting back to riding after a three year hiatus. I was never the quickest riding in the bunch anyway and I'm even slower now. I'd hate to hold everyone up.

SpiralGrayI'd love to go for a ride with some new folks, but I have a question... just how quick a bunch are y'all? I'm just getting back to riding after a three year hiatus. I was never the quickest riding in the bunch anyway and I'm even slower now. I'd hate to hold everyone up.

It's not too far (maybe 15 miles) from the cafe in Philomath to the top of Mary's Peak. We'd welcome you being there. No worries about how fast or slow anyone is, this will be a fun ride that each can do at their own pace. Several of us will be two-up, not that that slows us much...

Please come and join us!

OK anybody that wants to ride down with us from portland speak up so we can all meet up

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Wow - looks great guys... well done - and a great tribute to a great guy.

I wish i could have been there. Thanks for posting up the pictures George :fing02:

Today was a thoughtful kind of day. I took a walk up into the woods above the house (it's deer season here), lovely morning, and saw a lot of nothing. But while walking back, I thought it would be a great day for a ride into the Coast Range to see how Rich's stone is getting on.

I've had his coffee cup in my cupboard for three years now since Rich died, rarely use it, and it occurred to me that I should just take it up and set it by his stone in the woods. Rich LOVED coffee, and used to razz me about my preference of tea. For those of you reading this anew, my best riding buddy Rich had his last ride on the road that runs up Mary's Peak in western Oregon. His beloved Judi placed a stone at the spot where we found him.

I put the cup by the shoes and hung out with him awhile. I don't know where the shoes came from, other friends and family members tend to stop by and leave things, too. The little wooden cross we began with is still lying there, and I noticed some words we'd scrawled on it still legible. In August, Didit and Jfviffer came up to visit with me, which meant something to Tony as he had met and ridden with Rich at the '06 PNW meet, just two weeks before we lost him.

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Rich's stone

I go back every now and again, and it always amazes me how much things change at that spot in the trees. Two years ago, the massive spruce just below snapped in the wind and crashed down just missing the site. It's now a great thing to stand on and listen to the silence and watch the colors change as the light pours through the trees. Though it was sunny, the winding road up the mountainside was well-lubed with wet pine needles and green moss.

I rode my late father-in-law's GoldWing up to the mountain. Darrel loved that bike, almost as much as his BMW GS that he rode everywhere. He died last April quite suddenly. He was preparing for his second ride to Alaska on the Beemer. Jalene and I inherited the Wing, along with the camp-trailer that it pulls. What a ride it is when you want to cruise in comfort and see the sights. Darrel and Rich would have gotten on brilliantly - both equally quirky and absolutely nuts about motorcycles. Both of them were taken from us without warning, and both of them I miss terribly.

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Still life - GoldWing with coffee cup

I always have nice conversations with Rich about the ride up there. When I told him I rode the GoldWing up to see him, I heard some crap about how old I'm getting. I let him know that Colorado was a great trip, and about some other things going on in life. He wants me to bring him something to put in the cup next time I'm up there. I guess that was a little rude of me.

So now rides to Mary's Peak will include a thermos of hot coffee. Doesn't have to be good, Rich seemed to like any kind of gut-burning swill.

And while reviewing this thread while writing, I found where Baileyrock expressed a desire to come see the place. Well, Kevin, you get yourself healed up and make it to Oregon and we'll go for a little ride. BTW, buddy, though I didn't get to say it in CO, the words you and all the others posted when I was laid up a year ago were worth millions, and I know we all think of you every day right now, especially when we're on the bike. Heal well!

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Forest view, memorial stone at lower left

The woods, waterfalls, mist, and motorcycles. Cant ask for a better place to set down!

The lost of a Rich was a chill... then stupor... and finally letting go... I'll never forget our rides

together nor the partying...

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Never met Rich, but I was talking to Big Timmy at the Summit meet as to how I "felt" I knew him.

This pic is burned into my consciousness for some unknown reason:

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Ride On Rich! :beer:

Cool.. really cool. Nice tribute. I'm sure He's smilin up there. ( and riding kick ass roads forever)

Very nice Keith - and my condolensces to you and Jalene on the loss of Darrel.

I cannot believe it is over 3 years since Rich's passing. He was truly one of the coolest guys I have ever met. He is sorely missed by all who had the great pleasure of meeting him.

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Now about that 'wing.... :beer:

keithbob- both equally quirky and absolutely nuts about motorcycles. Both of them were taken from us without warning, and both of them I miss terribly.

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Forest view, memorial stone at lower left

That is an incredible statement that carries great meaning to me. I was talking to a coworker maybe 6/7 years ago about another coworker and I described him as "weird". The guy looked at me for a moment and then said "You know what, I think we are ALL weird". He made the comment in jest but I thought about it for days - well, evidently years because I think of that comment every time I think of someone as being different in some way. And after some introspective thought, I think that is exactly why I love fellow motorcyclists as much as I do. We ARE all weird or quirky in our own way but these damned machines bring us together like brothers and we DO care deeply when we loose a fellow rider, even when we never met them and they were hundreds/thousands of miles away. Thanks for the photos of the site. That last pic looks like a great place to just sit quietly and watch/listen for hours on end.

I'll have to get back up that way and see that stone. I still remember riding with Rich and everyone on the '06 meet, and that amazing ride up to the peak. Here he is clowning around hugging his bike.

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Thanks for the photo's Keith. I need to ride down that way so you can show me where the spot is.

I first met Rich at the gathering in Newport. I'd ridden my Vulcan down to Nevada and back the month before and had decided that long distance on a cruiser wasn't for me. I was thinking sportbike/standard, wondering if the VFR was the bike for me, and talking to Rich about would a sportbike be what I wanted. Would it be more comfortable, would my dirtbike background translate to a sport or standard bike the way I thought it would. He had me sit on the RC while he held it upright and gave me helpful hints and pointers on how to turn the thing. :blink: He was so easy to talk to and and one of those people you feel like you've known forever after knowing them for 5 minutes. His encouragement and riding lesson convinced me that yup, I needed a different style of bike. I sent Keith photo's of the 750 after I bought it, he sent them on the Rich, who sent word back through Keith that it was a darned fine choice and I would enjoy it immensely. He was right, but I never got to show him the bike in person.

It's about time I dropped by to show him where his encouraging words led me.

Last summer I was down in TN and found myself at a dealership with a group of friends. Jimmy has the soul of a sport tourer, but was riding a Shadow. I had him sit on the Concours and the FJR and basically repeated the riding lesson from Rich. Jimmy is now the proud owner of an ST1300, and is loving the bike. So Rich is still having an impact on peoples lives. What a legacy. smile.gif

GypsyCat

Fantastic, Keith! The coffee cup belongs there! I wish I could have joined you, but I was in Colorado in cages for a long weekend... :blink:

It's about time for me to go up too and visit my buddy.

I rode up to Mary's Peak yesterday but did not know the location of this memorial and did not see it. I asked the ranger at the summit parking lot but he was not familiar with it. If I knew the location I'd take an updated photo of the site. The summit road had gravel down the center of the lanes in places so it paid to be careful.

Cogswell

I rode up to Mary's Peak yesterday but did not know the location of this memorial and did not see it. I asked the ranger at the summit parking lot but he was not familiar with it. If I knew the location I'd take an updated photo of the site. The summit road had gravel down the center of the lanes in places so it paid to be careful.

The marker itself is down off the road, and there is no marker to tell you where to look. And things have changed a little since they re-paved a section of road there. Next time I'm up there I'll note the landmarks on the road by it, and maybe put a secret paint mark on the edge where you go down to it. It's quite unofficial, so the ranger would have no knowledge of it. I'll post up again with how to find it. Maybe the GPS coordinates, too.

Thanks for thinking of Rich. I still drop in to VFRD from time to time, even though the VFR was sold quite a while ago. At least I still have the Saber in the garage to give me that old V4 feeling.

We now have a perfect marker for finding the stone we set that marks where Rich came to rest!

Head up Mary's Peak Road off of Hwy 34 until you come to Parker Creek Falls. Turn around and go back down maybe 150-200 yards. Exactly where he left the road, there is now an "ELEVATION 3000 FT" sign. In the photos below, you can see the sign, and my GS is parked directly above where the stone was placed, about 30-40 feet down from the road. You will see a large log, maybe 4' dia., lying at the base of the tree that it snapped off of. From the elevation sign, angle down to the left and you will find the marker stone just above the log. Pretty neat.

There's even room to park a few bikes in the grass by the signpost.

The forest is always changing, and the pine needles and duff have built up around the coffee cup and shoes, which are taking on a nice green from the moss. I cleared away the sticks and such, but left the natural buildup of things. It doesn't seem like 8 years have passed, but they have.

As for me, I'm doing just great out here, and continue to have adventures on the GS, aka Shrek or The Horse or The Big Pig depending on what I'm traversing at the moment. I continue to check in here from time to time, and it seems things are carrying on in fine order, typical fashion. I may have to show up at another VFRD event to check in with old friends. One of my great memories is having 33 VFRs parked in my driveway when we had you all here in Newport in 2006.

So if you go up to Mary's Peak and you were a friend of Rich's, or even if you never met him, now it's easy to find his marker. Remember, he loved his coffee, so if you pack a thermos, spare him a drop or two in his cup.

Afterwards you'll need to go down to Alsea and have pie at Deb's.

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[image: Rich]

You really owe it to yourself to have lunch here. It's a regular stop for us locals.

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Nice job !!!

Keith, thanks for the update and the email. Great that Rich's spot is now marked and easy to find. I still remember Rich vividly - what a great guy.

Like you, I may need to attend a VFRD event just to say hello - it has been too long.

I am now on a Triumph Tiger 800 XC - great bike for exploring backroads but still very capable and comfortable on long highway jaunts.

I haven't logged on here in ages - I will be back more frequently and see if the crumpet can 'invade' a VFRD event soon,

Tony.

Thanks for the update Keith!

I was actually just thinking about Rich a few days ago. Looks like I'm going to have to do a Mary's Peak ride this summer.

Only been on VFRD for a couple of years and never would have found this thread. What a great tribute! We will try and do the coast trip this summer so I'll see if I can track this spot down.

Posted 18 May 2014 - 05:41 PM

We now have a perfect marker for finding the stone we set that marks where Rich came to rest!

Head up Mary's Peak Road off of Hwy 34 until you come to Parker Creek Falls. Turn around and go back down maybe 150-200 yards. Exactly where he left the road, there is now an "ELEVATION 3000 FT" sign. In the photos below, you can see the sign, and my GS is parked directly above where the stone was placed, about 30-40 feet down from the road. You will see a large log, maybe 4' dia., lying at the base of the tree that it snapped off of. From the elevation sign, angle down to the left and you will find the marker stone just above the log. Pretty neat.

There's even room to park a few bikes in the grass by the signpost.

The forest is always changing, and the pine needles and duff have built up around the coffee cup and shoes, which are taking on a nice green from the moss. I cleared away the sticks and such, but left the natural buildup of things. It doesn't seem like 8 years have passed, but they have.

As for me, I'm doing just great out here, and continue to have adventures on the GS, aka Shrek or The Horse or The Big Pig depending on what I'm traversing at the moment. I continue to check in here from time to time, and it seems things are carrying on in fine order, typical fashion. I may have to show up at another VFRD event to check in with old friends. One of my great memories is having 33 VFRs parked in my driveway when we had you all here in Newport in 2006.

So if you go up to Mary's Peak and you were a friend of Rich's, or even if you never met him, now it's easy to find his marker. Remember, he loved his coffee, so if you pack a thermos, spare him a drop or two in his cup.

Afterwards you'll need to go down to Alsea and have pie at Deb's.

Keith,

Thanks for the location! I will definately get down there soon, meeting and talking with Rich was a pleasure that I am grateful to have had. That was a very memorable meet!!

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Gary

I love this... thanks for posting... Rich and I were like brothers...

Cogswell

I rode up to Mary's Peak yesterday but did not know the location of this memorial and did not see it. I asked the ranger at the summit parking lot but he was not familiar with it. If I knew the location I'd take an updated photo of the site. The summit road had gravel down the center of the lanes in places so it paid to be careful.

Judi just reminded me that we put the stone down off the road (and the Ranger's won't know about it) because we did it on our own without permission. So it's best not to ask anyone official about it and draw attention. Not to seem selfish, but it's really just for us who know where to look, and who had a connection to Rich (that's all you VFRD folks, whether you met him or not).

But they did put up that great sign for us!

Thanks everyone, for the kind words and memories. And if I wasn't hosting a BMW campout the weekend of the Oregon Trails thing, I'd have to crash it and say hi to olds friends. I'd love to show you what tuned aftermarket suspension on a GS allows you to do to a front tire - amazing!

Good to hear from you Keith. It's really special looking at the picture that V-Fore posted of your garage and daydreaming about the magic of that meet at your place.

I often think about that weekend. It seems so distant sometimes but I remember so many little details and It's been too long since I've been up to see Rich.

I definitely need to make time to visit this summer.

Cheers,

-T