Updated: Friday, 31 Jul 2009, 12:45 AM EDT Published : Thursday, 30 Jul 2009, 6:52 PM EDT
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - A well-known Central Florida businessman and philanthropist has died. Bruce Rossmeyer, 66, of Ormond Beach, owned Daytona Beach Harley Davidson, one of the largest Harley Davidson dealerships in the country. He died in a motorcycle accident in Wyoming on Thursday morning.
Rossmeyer was heading to the Sturgis motorcycle rally in South Dakota when he was involved in the accident, which happened around 11 a.m. about 18 miles east of Farson, Wyoming.
According to investigators with the Wyoming Highway Patrol, the roadway at the time of the crash was dry with clear weather conditions. Rossmeyer was traveling on Wyoming State Road 28 with a group of five other motorcyclists behind a pickup truck which was pulling a 2-axle camper style trailer.
The driver of the pickup, Robert VanValkenburg, 73, of Rock Springs, Wyoming, braked and used his left turn signal to indicate he was going to make a turn onto a small dirt road. VanValkenburg was in the process of making his left turn when Rossmeyer attempted to pass the VanValkenburg on the left side. Rossmeyer collided into the drivers side door of the pickup.
Troopers said Rossmeyer was not wearing a helmet when he was ejected from the motorcycle. He died instantly. They also said that the turn signals and the brake lights of VanValkenburgs vehicle were in working order. It is unknown why Rossmeyer did not see the turn signal/brake lights.
None of the other motorcycles in Rossmeyers group were involved in the crash.
In addition to his Harley Davidson dealership, Rossmeyer was also the developer of Destination Daytona, an entertainment complex in Ormond Beach, and co-owner of two area auto dealerships.
FOX 35 spoke exclusively with the staff of "Coastal Cruizin'," a magazine for motorcycle enthusiasts. They were the last ones to sit down with Rossmeyer for an interview to be published in an upcoming issue.
Stan Blake and Joshua Adney spoke with Rossmeyer on June 26 at his office in Destination Daytona. They talked about a number of things including his accomplishments, his contributions and riding his Harley, his passion, his love.
The men say they were shocked when they heard the news and actually pushed up plans to publish the article.
"It was very candid, intimate interview. It was supposed to be the lead cover story for Biketoberfest and we pushed it up and were going to print tomorrow," said Blake.
"Bruce was very entertaining, and a likable guy, he had a lot of collectibles and hes someone who would encourage everyone, family, to get out there and enjoy what a motorcycle had to offer. The one thing I do remember in the interview is the one thing he loved was riding Sturgis," said Adney.
The issue, featuring Rossmeyer on the cover, comes out August 6.
Rossmeyer is survived by his wife Sandy and their 5 children, Mandy, Wendy, Randy, Will and Shelly, and his seven grandchildren.
FOX 35's Cheryl Getuiza and Stuart Campbell contributed to this report.
Que descanse en paz. El era el dueño de la franquicia aqui en el Condado de Broward (Fort Lauderdale). Anoche estaba por ahi y nadie lo sabia o lo menciono.
Creo que ese es el dueno del Mall gigantesco en Daytona tambien. Por lo menos me suena el nombre. Estove por alli en el 2007. Eso esta impresionante. Triste la noticia.