Bruce Rossmeyer’s Sunrise & Ft. Lauderdale Harley-Davidson, is pleased to announce their 2nd annual “Memorial Ride” which pays tribute to the late Bruce Rossmeyer by celebrating his life – featuring a police escorted motorcycle ride on July 30, 2011. Benefitting the Youth Automotive Training Center (YATC), the event will feature a Bruce Rossmeyer video memorial tribute, Country BBQ and good times for all.
The Bruce Rossmeyer Memorial Ride will depart promptly at 5pm from Harley Davidson in Fort Lauderdale, ending at the Sunrise location. The Marshall Brother’s Band and a DJ are providing hard-hitting entertainment. Tickets can be purchased for $25 prior to the event or for $30 on the day of. Registration begins at 3pm, and attendees will receive a free commemorative patch and t-shirt.
Bruce Rossmeyer, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and the world’s largest Harley-Davidson dealer, grew up in Metuchen, New Jersey. In 1994, looking for something fun to do in his retirement, Bruce bought his first Harley-Davidson dealership in Daytona Beach. In just fifteen years, Bruce expanded this family business into the largest chain of Harley-Davidson dealerships in the world. In 2005, Bruce opened the crown jewel of his empire, the world’s largest Harley-Davidson dealership and Destination Daytona. This 150-acre complex – which includes Daytona Harley-Davidson, restaurants, bars, shops, hotel and condos – quickly became one of Florida’s premier tourist destinations, for both bikers and non-bikers alike. He followed it up with the addition of several more dealerships.
On July 30th 2009, while heading to the Sturgis biker rally in South Dakota, Bruce died in a motorcycle accident. Bruce’s appetite for life and the way in which he lived it are legendary, but what he will be most remembered for by those who knew and loved him was his total devotion to his family. His wife, Sandy and the family’s greatest wish is to continue Bruce’s legacy of giving.
Bruce’s dedication to charitable causes was as wide-ranging as his business interests. The Youth Automotive Training Center (YATC) in South Florida was very dear to his heart. He pledged time and money to The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Orlando Magic Youth Foundation, Serenity House, and The Darrel Armstrong Foundation. Bruce served on the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Volusia/Flagler counties, and was also a founder of Camp Boggy Creek, a summer camp for children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses (a division of The Hole in the Wall Camps founded by Paul Newman). The Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital named a family sleeping room in Bruce’s honor for his generous support – which includes the Ft. Lauderdale “Toys In The Sun Run,” a fundraising event for the hospital that is also the biggest one-day bike event in Florida.
Rossmeyer’s remarkable business success was matched only by his dedication to family, and his zest for life. Bruce’s passion was motorcycles, but family was his first love. As wide-ranging as his business empire grew, it always remained, at heart, a family business. All five of Bruce’s children — Mandy, Wendy, Randy, Will, and Shelly – have throughout their lives been actively involved in and continue to run the family business.
For more information about the 2nd Annual Bruce Rossmeyer Memorial Ride, or to register in advance, please visit www.BruceRossmeyerH-D.com.