Chris Blumenberg Rides off to Harley Heaven

Photos and article by FastFred Ruddock

Chris took his last ride Sunday June 3, 2007. I spoke with Chris Sunday afternoon and he seemed to be in good spirits. He told me he was riding to a local ABATE meeting. I was still in Columbia and we made plans to meet Monday after work. Chris was the sort of friend that would do anything for a brother.

	Chris helped me recover this bike and fix it after it was stolen in 1999
Chris Blumenburg's 2nd Sporty		The bike Chris rode to heaven

During some of my darkest moments Chris was there to help. He helped me recover my stolen Sportster back in 1999. A few years later he secured my house after the door was illegally breached by the boys in blue. During recent years the quality of life Chris experienced deteriated greatly due to serious injuries he suffered in the early 90s. However Chris was never one to sit or complain he lived life to the fullest and always had a smile on his face and a willingness to lend a helping hand.

Chris spent his last day on Earth doing what brought him pleasure. He left this world on his motorcycle.

Ride on brother the world is poorer for your passing but your friends were enriched by the time you spent with them.

He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother
by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell

The road is long
With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where
Who knows where
But I'm strong
Strong enough to carry him
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

So on we go

His welfare is of my concern
No burden is he to bear
We'll get there

For I know
He would not encumber me
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

If I'm laden at all
I'm laden with sadness
That everyone's heart
Isn't filled with the gladness
Of love for one another

It's a long, long road
From which there is no return
While we're on the way to there
Why not share

And the load
Doesn't weigh me down at all
He ain't heavy he's my brother

He's my brother
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

Other bikers and friends of Chris and I are buried near his grave. Stoney is buried mere feet away; Stoney suffered much the same fate as Chris in a motorcycle accident over fifteen years ago. Chris is in good company.
Stoney	Troy Knight	Blue Boy