After a long hiatus BKAZIX, family, and friends finally got out for an afternoon ride. Seven Riders and six bikes met at the Shell Station I-10 & Wilmot. Those who attended were, Larry & Roxanne Klink from MN-IV, Scott Voigt, Steve Empey, Terry A, and yours truly. After leaving the Shell station we headed south on Wilmot we turned left onto Sahuarita Rd. From there we went south on 83 to Highway 82 in Sonoita, west to Elgin Road for a leisure ride through the wine vineyards before stopping at the Copper Brothel Brewery for lunch. After a nice lunch we all headed back to our respective homes. It was a warm balmy 70’s during our ride. When I returned home it was actually 79 degrees. Here are a few pictures from the ride.
It is with heavy heart that I announce the passing of BK NM-6 member Ed Rodarte. He passed away from Covid-19.
Please keep him, his family, friends, and fellow Blue Knights in your thoughts and Prayers.
RWP my friend
RoN
Blue Knights AZ IX
Secretary/Treasurer
P.O Box 90944
Tucson, Az. 85752
www.blueknightsaz9.org
(Cell) 520-940-0564
(Fax) 954-208-1122
treasurer@blueknightsaz9.org
On Saturday November 11th a few of the Blue Knights got together and did a lunch ride to the Copper Brothel Brewery in Sonoita. Those who made the ride were Steve E., Terry A., Ken McC., Scott V., a friend of Terry’s named Rick, and yours truly. After a great ride out I-10 Ken & I met up with the rest of the group at AZ 83. Then on down to Sonoita we went. When we got there we were NOT alone. I counted a total of 25 motorcycles in the parking lot including ours. There were members of ALR 123, 109, 23, and probably a few I missed. After a great lunch and dessert Ken, Steve, and I headed west on 82 while Terry and his friends headed east on 83 to make a loop back to Vail. Here are a few pictures of our afternoon lunch.
Obituary of Jack Stanley Thibaut, Jr.
Stan Thibaut was born in Marion, OH on a cold January day in 1948. The family moved to Rochester, NY when he was young and he grew up on Menard Dr. in Rochester. He attend high school in Greece, NY where he graduated in 1966.
He worked for a short time at Eastman Kodak then joined the Irondequoit Police Department. This began his career in a law enforcement. After 3 years of policing the Rochester suburb, he decided he wanted to live in retirement weather while he was young enough to enjoy it. He moved to Tucson in 1974 and began working for the Tucson Police Department. After working patrol and a few other assignments, he was accepted into the solo motor unit. He had been riding his own motorcycle to work and it was love at first ride. The progression of his professional career to Police Motors was a logical path.
He worked solo motors for 17 years. In that time he was instrumental in helping to develop the motors training course for the department as well as standardizing the training for RADAR instruction. He received the Medal of Merit and the Medal of Service for his contributions.
He retired from the department in 1997 after teaching one last motors class. He accepted a position with the Tucson Marshals, a subunit of the police department. He continued providing service to the City of Tucson in this role until a second retirement in 2009.
He was active in his church and helped found Desert Hope Lutheran Church in 2010. Always a willing servant, he participated in the Agua Prieta Shelters ministry, the facilities team and the church leadership counsel.
Retirement offered him the opportunity to spend more time with his motorcycle passion. He earned the Iron Butt designation for riding over 1000 miles in 24 hours. He took trips annually that crossed the country as well as day tripping around southern Arizona. His total life time, recreational riding exceeded 300,000 miles. He belonged to numerous motorcycle organizations including the AMA, Blue Knights AZ IX (founding member), BMW Riders Association, South East Arizona Touring Riders (SEAT), and others.
In June 2011 he began volunteering at the Tucson Wildlife Center. He continued to serve in this capacity until his death.
In his retirement, he rekindled his interest in shooting sports and was a member of the Tucson Rifle Club. While not as enjoyable as motorcycling, the activity gave him the chance to connect and reconnect with like minded friends.
On April 18, 2020 he passed away leaving behind his wife Patti, his four children, Michele Schwartz (husband Stuart), Wendy Osterhoudt (husband David), Todd Thibaut (wife Jessica) and Lorraine Early Thibaut, his grandchildren Alison Schwartz, Rachel Schwartz, Josh Osterhoudt, Emily Osterhoudt, Leia Thibaut, Luke Thibaut, and Ben Thibaut. Also left behind are his two sisters, Linda Brennan and Pam Honan (husband Tom) and his nephew, Casey Brennan. Stan was buried at East Lawn Cemetery in Tucson, AZ.
When gathering restrictions are lifted, a Celebration of Life will be held at Desert Hope Lutheran Church, 7474 E. Speedway.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made in Stan’s name to the 100 Club (https://www.100club.org), Tucson Hearts of Gold (tucsonheartsofgold.org), Agua Prieta Shelters (https://www.Apshelters.org) or the Tucson Wildlife Center (http://tucsonwildlife.com/).
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jack Thibaut, Jr., please visit Tribute Store
Our August breakfast ride will be at the Vail Steakhouse, 13005 Benson Highway, Vail, Arizona. 520-562-8777. Meeting time is 8:00 am. on Saturday August 13th.
I hope you can make the ride.
RWP
RoN
To All,
Our monthly dinner ride will be at the Thunder Canyon Brewery in the Foothills Mall, Ina and La Cholla. Meeting time is 6:30 p.m. Tuesday September 29th. Hope to see you there.
RWP
RoN