Chapter P - Memorial

Wife of Member Herb Williams. Herb and Marion met and married in 1947. Marion enjoyed deer hunting with Herb, but stayed away from the motorcycle. She worked and raised the family in Walnut Creek, and joined Herb in short trips in the car. Herb and Marion joined GWTA 11/1/87 and enjoyed their membership with GWTA and Chapter P friends. Marion helped many in Chapter P and stayed involved until her passing. She will be missed by all. Rest in Peace.

Terri joined GWTA 12/31/05 and enjoyed riding her own motorcycle on club rides. She was always willing to assist with anything in Chapter P and was treasurer until her cancer took too much energy. Terri lived in Stockton and moved to Bay Point in 2001 to be her mother’s caregiver in times of Bev’s ill health. Terri loved her dog, her companion Larry, and all her GWTA friends. She is survived by her mother, Bev Tidwell and stepfather Ken Hardwick, both of Chapter P, and family members in Concord. You will be dearly missed by your many friends and family members.

What a classy lady you were. Always willing to help anyone with anything. Garage Sales, Church activities, Women’s club, Gold Wing Club and especially your friends (of which you had plenty). I remember the time while cleaning the bathroom for company that I drove a carpet stable into the bone of right hand finger. Dee had been planning on coming over to teach me how to make Chicken and Dumplings for my dinner gathering that night, and now I had to go to emergency to have that staple removed and a shot. I left Dee at my house and my daughter took me to the ER. It took us 4 hours and by the time I got home the dinner was cooked and Dee and my granddaughter had finished cleaning my house. I will never forget that. What a wonderful friend. I will truly miss you forever. You will always be in my heart.

It is with a sad heart that I report the passing of a long time friend and mentor while at the same time celebrate the times we shared together. On Dec. 3^rd, 2007 Beryl "Van" Vanderpool passed away.

I first met Van in August 2001 at the Wing Nut bike shop in Fairfield, CA. and he invited me to join GWTA Chapter P, Concord, CA. where Judy and I received a fantastic welcome. Every member in the Chapter took the time to walk up and introduce themselves and to welcome us.

I have ridden small motorcycles most of my life but had just purchased a 1985 LTD Gold Wing and knew absolutely nothing about them but with Van as my mentor I learned fast. At first I used to dread him coming over to my house because the first thing he would do is inspect my bike and usually find something that needed attention even if just a light bulb. He knew where my tools were and immediately started taking my bike apart to repair it. I didn’t like him to do that because I didn’t know how to put it back together and wasn’t sure that he did. I soon learned that he knew a lot more than I thought he did. I also learned that Van was a ex-race car driver and a pilot of small aircraft. At the end of each day while on an extended ride Van would be under his bike doing a full pre-flight inspection. When finished he would make

the rounds and inspect the rest of the bikes in the group.

Van preached maintenance knowing that it was a great part of safety. Every pilot knows that you do a pre-flight inspection before takeoff. Our pre-flight check-off list is the T-Clock.

Van was the Asst. Chapter Director for several years and very instrumental in holding the Chapter together. Van may be gone in body but a part of him will live on in the knowledge gained by every Chapter member. I have something very personal of Van’s that can never be taken away and that is his friendship throughout our times together. I’m proud to say that he was my mentor and I can only hope to continue to live up to his expectations and carry on with his spirit. Van found humor in everyone and never had a bad thing to say about anyone. I hope that when my time comes that I can pass on the warmth and friendship I’ve learned from Van. He would be proud to know that the church was overflowing with friends during the service and the pastor said that he wished he could get that kind of turnout on Sundays.

Van may be gone but he’ll always be remembered with the greatest admiration.

Don Coons, GWTA Oregon State Safety Director

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DIABLO VALLEY WINGS

GWTA - Chapter P - Northern California