Service today in Florida for Harley dealer, Daufuskie property owner

A memorial service will be held today in Florida for part-time Daufuskie Island resident Bruce Rossmeyer, who was killed Thursday after colliding with a pickup truck in southwestern Wyoming while riding his motorcycle.

Rossmeyer, 66, was one of the nation's largest Harley-Davidson dealers, according to theDaytona Beach News-Journal in Florida, and Rossmeyer's Web site lists 14 dealerships in five states.

The Wyoming State Patrol told The Associated Press that Rossmeyer was trying to pass a pickup pulling a trailer about 18 miles east of Farson on Thursday. Sgt. Stephen Townsend says the truck driven by 73-year-old Robert VanValkenburg of Rock Springs was turning left onto a dirt road when the wreck occurred.

Townsend says VanValkenburg had his left-turn signal on. Rossmeyer was thrown from the motorcycle and landed under the trailer.

No other motorcycles were involved in the crash.

A friend, Grady Pfeiffer, told the Rapid City (S.D.) Journal that Rossmeyer was headed to the motorcycle rally in Sturgis, S.D. Rossmeyer planned to meet with a group of custom bike builders called the Hamsters in Thermopolis and then ride to Sturgis, said Pfeiffer, the group's spokesman.

Rossmeyer owned property on Daufuskie Island's Haig Point, according to Beaufort County tax records.

A celebration of Rossmeyer's life will be at 11 a.m. today at Christ Presbyterian Church in Ormond Beach, Fla. Donations can be made to Camp Bobby Creek, 30500 Brantley Branch Road, Eustis, Fla. 32737 or to the Boys & Girls Club of Volusia/Flagler counties, 101 N. Woodland Blvd., Suite 400, Deland, Fla. 32720-4296 or to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, 877 NW 61st, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33309.