1994-05-27 Derek Catt

[George]

Today is the 13th anniversary of Derek's passing. He was killed on a 2-lane road near Seneca, South Carolina in the early evening. He was doing what he loved.

He was only 24 but had a packed a full life time into those few short years.

When youthful exuberience meets middle-age myopia, disaster happens.

I still miss my boy.

 

[Finewest]

Re: In memory of Derek Catt

An extra prayer for him and your family tonight George.

 

[Raven]

Re: In memory of Derek Catt

Thoughts are with you.

 

[John Anthony]

Re: In memory of Derek Catt

George,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Burying a child has to be the hardest thing for a parent to do. No amount of time can heal that wound.

John

 

[BamaRider]

Re: In memory of Derek Catt

I was going for a ride when I stopped in to check the forum. I'll be sure to think of y'all.

Was Derek on a long ride in SC, or did y'all live there at the time?

 

[Mellow]

Re: In memory of Derek Catt

I think he would have been proud of what he started, wish I could have had the chance to meet him but if he's anything like his father, he's good people.

 

[AZST]

Re: In memory of Derek Catt

From what I've read, he was a special individual.

You do a good job of keeping his memory alive George.

--Bryan
04ST1300A

 

[George]

Re: In memory of Derek Catt

I was going for a ride when I stopped in to check the forum. I'll be sure to think of y'all.

Was Derek on a long ride in SC, or did y'all live there at the time?

He was on spring break from NIU, down there for an HSTA rally. He was supposed to do the Keith Code school at Road Atlanta the following weekend, then meet me in Asheville to work at the first Honda Hoot.

The previous year he rode Route 66, following ALL the little segments from Chi to CA. He did quite a bit of LD riding, never documented any, tho.

There's a write-up about him in STuff #7, I think. You can find it at STeinar's st1100.org site.

Thanks to all for your kind thoughts. Now...

GO RIDE!!

 

[MATTHEWS]

Re: In memory of Derek Catt

My thoughts are with you George...
Derek's spirit rides on with all of us!

 

[ChipSTer]

Re: In memory of Derek Catt

Life is short... Just consider him out scouting all the good roads which you and him will ride when you meet again... I can't imagine how hard it is to do without him... I've got a 4-year-old and I don't know what I would do if something happened to him... You've got my vote for dad-of-the-year...

 

[Biker George]

Re: In memory of Derek Catt

A moment of silent reflection does not seem adequate...but I offer it anyway.

Godspeed Derek; you are obviously missed by many. I wish I had the chance to cross tire tracks with him, but am glad I have with you George.

All the best,

-Geo

 

[wjbertrand]

Re: In memory of Derek Catt

Rode with George today (Sunday), we did some of the Santa Monica Canyons. Besides George there were 3 other STOCers. Me Gunnar Reed and Greg M. George said Derek would have wanted us to GO RIDE, so we did. I hereby declare today's ride DerekSTOC. :bow1:

 

[Ridingfar]

Re: In memory of Derek Catt

Life is short, shorter for some than others. In the end it's not the years in a life but the life in the years. May we all live well and happy lives, and those who have gone before us continue to touch us throuh their memory.

Godspeed George, and thank you for sharing so much of Derek's sprit with us.

 

[FJRHank]

Re: In memory of Derek Catt

I too was moved by this thread, and honestly am kinda at a loss for words. Very very sad. Wish you the best George and am deeply sorry for your loss.

RIP Derek,

 

[Austin city limits]

Re: In memory of Derek Catt

When it is all said and done,,, all we can hope is we were doing what we loved...

Leaving early is never good,,, and he was FAR to young... Prayers are going towards you and he George...

 

[Palebluedot]

Re: In memory of Derek Catt

Anniversary dates always remind us of the good times. Unfortunately, they remind us of the sad times also. And for the sad times they seem to come around too often. Just hold on to all the good times you shared.

 

[forgitaboutut]

Re: In memory of Derek Catt

I never had the pleasure to meet Derek, I didn't know what Sport Touring was until I found HSTA, which was in '96, where I met George...
My thoughts and prayers go out to you George!
Rich

 

[George]

Re: In memory of Derek Catt

AT the request of one of the guys on the ST liST, just wrote up this more comprehensive thread about Derek's accident. Hope it can help to save a life.

 

[Sink]

Wow, George.... I'm sure he rides with you every time you go out! Your kids are supposed to bury you, not the other way around. My prayers go out to you and yours.

 

[George]

Just added some pics to my Derek album. Here's a preview:


That's Derek in the cameo. Just added to the fireworks shot, taken from a file photo. This showed up in our Sunday Chicago Tribune over a year after the accident. Surprised? Oh, yeah!