Amassing an empire of 15 dealerships and stores across the nation, Bruce Rossmeyer staked his claim as the world’s largest Harley-Davidson dealer with his crown jewel, Destination Daytona off Interstate 95 in Ormond Beach. However, Bruce Rossmeyer died on a Harley while riding a Wyoming highway with a pack of friends this past Thursday, July 20, 2009.
Rossmeyer was traveling with a group of friends on his way to the 69th annual Sturgis motorcycle rally, one of the nation’s largest. He had recently left one of his Colorado dealerships to meet with the Hamsters motorcycle club. According to the Wyoming Highway Patrol, Bruce Rossmeyer along with five other motorcyclists were riding on Highway 28 where they were following a pickup truck pulling a recreational travel trailer being driven by Robert L. VanValkenburg, 73, of Rock Springs, Wy. and when the truck slowed down to begin making a left turn, Bruce Rossmeyer tried to pass him when they collided. Bruce was not wearing a helmet and VanValkenburg’s turn signals and brake lights were working at the time of the crash, the report said.
News of his death shocked me and the many attendees in Sturgis who have arrived at the rally. “His death is going to change the entire motorcycle industry,” Woody Woodruff owner the world’s famous Buffalo Chip said. “You have movers and shakers, and Bruce was definitely a mover and shaker. He made things happen. You lose someone like that and it creates a big void.”
Born in New Brunswick, N.J., Bruce Rossmeyer built his first career as an automotive dealer, starting with his own Dodge dealership in New Jersey in 1969. He opened a Harley-Davidson dealership in Daytona Beach, almost as a hobby as part of his retirement, in 1994. During the next decade, Harley-Davidson and the whole biker culture roared into the mainstream, becoming a billion-dollar business, and Bruce Rossmeyer enjoyed the ride.
Bruce’s crown jewel, Destination Daytona, is like Hawg Heaven for bikers with hotels, condominiums, restaurants and stores which, of course, are all anchored by the World’s Largest Harley Davidson dealership. Bruce Rossmeyer opened Destination Daytona in 2005 as Bike Week hit its peak, attracting over a half million bikers and motorcycle riders to town.
Bruce Rossmeyer, 66, is survived by his loving wife Sandy, five great children (Mandy, Wendy, Randy, Will & Shelly) for which all are involved in his businesses, and seven lovely grandchildren.
Bruce Rossmeyer’s Family has asked that all Family and friends, please join them for a celebration of Bruce’s life on Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at 11:00am at Christ Presbyterian Church, 1035 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach, FL with Pastor John Cole officiating. His family will also receive friends on Monday August 3, 2009 from 4-9pm at Lohman Funeral Home Ormond.
In lieu of flowers, please help continue Bruce’s lifelong commitment to helping children in our communities. Memorial donations can be made to the Camp Boggy Creek, 30500 Brantley Branch Road, Eustis, FL 32736, or the Boys and Girl’s Club of Volusia/Flagler Counties, 101 North Woodland Blvd., Ste 400, Deland, FL 32720-4296.
In addition, friends may send condolences to Lohman Funeral Homes. Arrangements are under the careful direction of Lohman Funeral Home Ormond.
Bruce Rossmeyer’s Daytona Harley-Davidson at Destination Daytona, the Beach Street Location and New Smyrna will be closed on Tuesday, August 4 and will reopen on Wednesday, August 5.
Brother Bruce…God Bless and May you ride the paths of heaven forever along with our fallen brothers and sisters.
Rest In Peace,
Boss Hawg
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Are you a disabled veteran, do you have shorter legs or are your legs beginning to find the weight of a full size Harley Davidson Touring Motorcycle a little heavier than your legs can easily handle, due to bad hips, bad knees, or another reason like an older age?
