The Empress, a name given her by co-workers, stuck with Linda Blunt through her motorcycle riding days. Having won the first bout against breast cancer, Linda was determined to experience more in life than she had before her diagnosis and that's exactly what she did. Her bike was a joy and she rode it almost daily especially while working as the Marketing and Events Coordinator for Michael's Harley-Davidson in Cotati. The Ladies of Harley had Linda's leadership as their LOH officer and RECHOG chose her as their treasurer until she moved to the South Bay to be with family. Linda was a joy to ride with and a joy to know. Her valiant fight against breast cancer ended in April 2004.

In Memory of Howard Rader , 61,  (Senior Road Captain)       whose life was cut short on February 3rd, 2004.  Howard Joined the Redwood Empire Chapter in 1996. He retired from the Sonoma County Sheriff's Dept in 1995. Howard always had a Dresser (Electric Glide Classic). (3) Red, Green, and the last one 2003 Anniversary Model.  (The Green One he turned into a Lehman Trike) That didn't last long, he missed the leaning into the turns and the ease of handling the twisties. So adios Trike, welcome the 2003. Which he rode to the 100th Celebration. Stopping off in Las Vegas long enough to tie the "Knot" with Cherie Topper. Howard was always ready to help the Chapter. (He served as Road Captain 1998-1999-2001) Was elected Senior Road Captain again for 2004. He was looking forward to having some fun, leading rides and planning routes, working with the Other Road Captains. He was always there to volunteer to help with the Main Event. (Summer Run For Kids) Valley Of The Moon Children's Home. Planning the Poker Route. Security, or Traffic Control.  1999-2003 The Chapter has raised over $260,000.00 for the Building of a New Home.  Howard Loved life and lived every day of it. Always had a project. Classic Cars (Fords) was also a favorite of his. Landscaping, always something going on in his life. (Fishing was another favorite pastime).  Howard will be missed by many.  He left his mark.  He led many a Chapter Ride over Three years as a Road Captain. He also was a Member of the Baker Square Rider's and Led Many rides from both Restaurants. Howard was a Lifetime Member of the ACME Riders.  His passing has left a void in the Motorcycle world, he will always be remembered as "THE ROAD CAPTAIN"

   Melvyn "Mel" Joseph Del Gallo,  57, passed away on Saturday, October 18th after a day spent enjoying one of his greatest passions, riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. A former electrician, real estate agent, and bartender, Mel had lived in Sonoma County for 38 years. He was born in San Francisco, and later graduated from Menlo-Atherton High School in Menlo Park and attended California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. As director of the 506-member Redwood Empire Chapter Harley Owners Group (HOG), he helped raise more than $260, 000 for the Valley of the Moon Children's Home during the past five years. His leadership turned the chapter's Easter and Christmas runs to the Santa Rosa home into annual events. A HOG member for more than ten years, Mel served as director twice, and as Newsletter Editor, Activities Officer and Road Captain. Mel was self-taught in computers and graphic arts and his ingenuity was evident in everything he did. His creative works included the initial design for the Chapter’s website, the Chapter’s newsletter, Tales From the Woods, and an ‘infamous’ Christmas Card with him dressed as Santa, riding his Harley and his wife, Chris barely hanging on to the rear of the bike as they flew up to the North Pole. A true Harley-Davidson enthusiast, Mel loved his 90th, 95th and 100th anniversary commemorative motorcycles and rode them all with unbridled passion. Mel, his sweetie, Chris, and many of their motorcycle-riding friends had just returned from a 10, 000 mile trip across country which included a stop in Milwaukee for Harley-Davidson’s 100th Anniversary Celebration. Mel was a wonderful, compassionate human being with a huge heart. He was like a big teddy bear. He will continue to be an inspiration to all who knew and loved him.                                                                                                                                           

Rich Hall

1943-1994  passed away on August 20, 1994. He was returning home on his bike after a day of riding at the coast with a friend. Rich was just 50 years old and lived with his wife, Sue, in Sonoma where he had resided all of his life. He worked at Mare Island Naval Shipyard. He had two daughters, Kristianne and Dori. Rich’s lifelong dream was to own a Harley. His dream was realized in June of 1991 when he purchased his black Softail Custom from Michael’s Harley Davidson. He rode every weekend, usually both Saturday and Sunday. He met many good friends through riding and joined Redwood Empire HOG. He loved riding the Xmas runs and other HOG events in addition to just riding with friends. In 1993, he and Sue took a month and rode cross-country to attend the Sturgis Bike Rally . . .another dream realized. In April of 1994, he and Sue rode with friends to the Annual Western Regional Bike Rally in Albuquerque, NM and then in again, in August to the Sturgis Bike Rally. Rich was having the time of his life riding with friends that were dear to him.

He truly believed the saying, “Live to Ride, Ride to Live.”

Sandra Cutright  passed away on August 14, 1999 as the result of a motorcycle accident. Although Sandy had been an active member of the Redwood Empire Chapter for a number of years, she had always been a passenger. She had always dreamt of riding her own motorcycle and after completing the motorcycle training course Sandy got her very own Harley. Shortly before Sandy left us that beautiful sunny day, she was overheard saying that it was the best day of her life. Sandra Cutright served as secretary and treasurer for the Redwood Empire Chapter and will be missed by all.

Terry Dickerson, 1938-2001
 Terrance Paul Dickerson passed away on Saturday, August 25, 2001, as the result of a motorcycle accident on his way home from work. He was 62 years old. Terry was a Sonoma County resident for 27 years and was an active member of the Redwood Empire Harley Owners Group where he served as historian and photographer for many years. He was a key figure in the group’s charitable fund raising efforts in support of Valley of the Moon Children’s Foundation and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Terry will be best remembered for his wonderful sense of humor and his selfless dedication in support of children’s charities.

Read Terry's Guest Book

Clifford Paris, 1916 - 2003

Clifford Paris, a Petaluma hay broker who often sealed his business with a handshake, died Saturday of an aneurysm. He was 86. Born on March 17, 1916, to one of Sonoma County's pioneer dairy families, Cliff spent sixty years as an independent hay broker. "He spent all his life here," his daughter Myrna Donaldson said. "He knew just about everybody.

A dedicated worker, Cliff was equally dedicated to his extracurricular passions -- baseball and motorcycles. He bought his first motorcycle in 1929 and despite giving up riding to raise his children, Cliff climbed back onto the bike at age 76. He owned two Harley-Davidsons and was the eldest member of the Redwood Chapter Harley Owners Group. "He just fit right in," his daughter Myrna Donaldson said. "I was so worried about him riding and he said, 'When I'm riding nothing hurts.'" Cliff even rode his bike on the day he entered the hospital. Cliff was a member of the California Native Sons and Petaluma Elks Lodge.

Cliff is survived by his four daughters, Myrna Donaldson and husband Don of Penngrove, Barbara Paris, Willie Paulucci and husband Leroy, all  of Woodland and Kathy Sorensen and husband Roger of Sonoma; 13 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren.