August 16, 2008 - Don "Padre" Pender and his girlfriend Marian "Fluff" Hack joined a group of our riders to bring another brother, Richard Bowman, to the top of South Mountain to celebrate Richard's return to the road after losing a leg and almost losing his life in an accident back in May, 2008. (Click for the story of how our ALR happened upon the scene and tended to his wounds until help arrived.) Almost 3 months to the day later, ALR Post #2 rode as a group (about 40 bikes strong) along with the PMRG (Richard's motorcycle group) to the top of South Mountain where Richard was presented with a fully patched vest from the ALR. Padre made that presentation. (See Video)

It was a moving celebration. Richard was touched by the love and compassion of our riders – so much so that he invited the ALR of Post 2 to return to his home to be treated to a cookout. We mounted up and began our decent down the mountain. Padre rounded the first curve of the road and lost control of his bike, plummeting approximately 25 feet down the embankment. The riders all stopped and ran to assist, holding up blankets to shade Padre and Fluff from the scorching sun while medical assistance was notified and made the 7 mile trek up the winding South Mountain Trail to tend to our brother and sister.

Padre and Fluff were talking and lucid. It appeared all was going to be okay. Evidently, and very tragically, after the EMT's carried Padre to the awaiting ambulance, he took a turn for the worse. They worked on him, but to no avail. Our Padre passed away en route to the hospital. Fluff is going to be fine. She sustained cuts and bruises and is sporting a black eye, but she will recover from her wounds. With prayer, she will recover from the loss of her companion, our friend, Padre.

Stand down, Padre. Your mission here on earth is finished and you may now rest in the loving arms of our Lord. May God Bless you, Brother. You will be missed but we will hold you in our hearts forever.

Click here for messages of condolence from our Brothers and Sisters...

Click here for Don's Memorial Website

A Letter to Don from his "Lady Fluff"...