We Lost a Friend

[Old Michael]

I'd never met Andrew, but I'm sitting here in tears. He'd PM'd me and I could tell he was a rare human being. He lives just a couple of miles from me.

Okay. Whatever I can do....

 

[Randy]

We are all truly saddened by this news. There are no words. RIP, our friend.

 

[Barabus]

Andrew took the day off to ride with Robin and me.

 

[650cent]

Very sad news. Everyone please be careful out there.

Bill

 

[Old Michael]

Do not go gentle into that good night,

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;

Rage, rage aginst the dying of the light.

Dylan Thomas

Rest in peace Andrew.

 

[eeksnake]

I briefly met Andrew at WFO this year too. He was very friendly and warm to me, a perfect stranger at the time.

Damn this sucks.

Please, whoever is close enough to know, keep the rest of us posted on the family's wishes, service date & time.

 

[HYCLE]

RIP Andrew

 

[Silver Penguin]

It's not often that I'm at a loss for words but I don't know what to say.

I read Tim's post over and over again, trying to see the joke. He had to be kidding, right? This didn't just happen. As I scrolled through the posts, the truth started to sink in although I can still hardly believe it.

O'vale and I shared all kinds of PM's about all sorts of things. He was a truly funny guy as well as a talented writer and photographer. One day, I had hoped to meet him but that's not going to happen now.

Tim, Mike or anyone who is in contact with Sherri, please convey deepest sympathies to her and be sure that she knows how much he will be missed by his forum friends.

Oh, please tell me that this is some sick kind of joke and that Andrew is OK.

Jill

 

[keithaba]

F#*K!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't even imagine what Sherri and the family are going through... truly a sad sad day....

I second a fund for Sherri, I know it does nothing to alleviate the grief they are going through, but credit cards and banks don't put things on hold, even for those experiencing an event this devastating.

If someone knows how to, please put that together.

 

[beerme]

Stunned. I read Tim's words and couldn't breath for a moment. Terrible loss.

 

[MCRIDER007]

I didn't know Andrew as much as I knew of him -- his postings, ride reports, and enthusiasm. He was easy to recognize at WFO-5 and WFO-6 and there was a scene from WFO-5 that was replayed many times. It was hot, between 90 and 100 degrees, and while a lot of us were standing around in our shorts at the Hilton parking lot, in the shade, talking about motorcycles -- Andrew would ride in on his FJR, say a few words to someone, and then go riding again -- and that is how I am going to remember him.

R.I.P Andrew, you will be missed.

 

[Silent]

****.... Say it aint so!

 

[FredandJeannesRacer]

So long Orangevale. See ya next time pal.

 

[kaitsdad]

The first time I met Andrew and Sherri -

Ride in at Bill Mayer Saddles -

 

[LAroo]

Terrible News. Sincere condolences to Sherri and Andrews family.

 

[IndianaTom]

I guess it's cliche to say he died doing what he loved...

I wish I got to meet him.

Maybe I'll catch you next time O'vale.

 

[FJR Steve]

From this side of the world....

So sorry to hear the news. I couldn't think of who OrangevaleFJR was, until the avatar appeared in Tim's post. Then it started to hit me. From over here, +1 to enjoying his posts, wit, sense of comradeship and general all round nice guy.

Andrew...may the roads be twisty, clean and no more speed limits.

Also, I once saw an FJR with the "Yamaha" word on the lower fairing, always thought it was nice, but just couldn't bring myself to putting it on my '07. Now having seen (and remembered) the picture of Andrew at Bill Mayer's, I am going to look at stickering up the '07.

Always remembered, never forgotten.

 

[fjrchik]

Macallans for you my friend. I'll miss you.

And you were right Andrew, the Avs do rock.

My deepest sympathies to Sherri and the kids.

 

[Toecutter]

From one of my very favorite memories of Andrew and his ride reports, from this topic:

Yesterday ToeCutter, RocknFJR and myself rode with Patriot Guard Riders to show support and respect to the the fallen and the family of Tony Butterfield, aged 19; US Marine.
If any of you have thoughts about riding your FJR with PGR, you should do it. It was a very rewarding experience for me, and our fallen soldiers deserve it and their families benefit from the support.

Here are my comments after the mission:

First and foremost my deeply felt thanks to Tony, and his family that now live on with the sacrifice that they made when they lost Tony.

My thanks to all PGR riders that showed up, but more importantly, I have a thanks to relay to you. As Tony was being placed for transport and we were rendering our salute to our flag and fallen Marine, Tony's Grandmother and Grandfather were stopped directly in front of me. His Grandmother looked up with eyes overflowing with tears and looked to me for something. I tipped my head while holding her eye and she said, "Thank you so much." The "you" was the Patriot Guard.

I don't know if I've ever been brought to tears faster than I was at that moment. I will never forget the loss that each family suffers and we should never forget that people are suffering and this is much more than a statistic. Human lives are lost and dealt tremendous blows by this. I know you all know that, but these are the thoughts that are rambling through my head.

Next, it was good to meet a bunch of new people. To everyone I met and those I didn't, thanks.

Lastly, I want to talk about the community that Tony came from. I was deeply moved to see yellow ribbons on every post, sign and tree along the route between the church and cemetery. 6 miles of ribbons. On several occaisions, people were waiting for the procession with flags and signs of thanks and memory. Fire stations were in dress blues and standing in front of their lighted trucks at attention. City workers had parked and stood showing their respect, construction workers on a lift stopped welding and turned and stood at attention. Tony was certainly shown a high degree of respect for what he gave to this community and I have to say that his community earned a huge amount of respect from me. I don't live in Fresno, or Clovis, but if I did I would be very proud to tell people that I did.

R.I.P. my fallen brother....

 

[Old Michael]

Thank you Toecutter.