Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sojourner1]

I know this is old news, but didn't find out until today and no one said anything. This is about the dude who founded the Rotten Dead MC in Busan.

I had been chatting with him with interest in getting on a motorcycle in Korea, but I never had the courage to do it. I did in Thailand 5 months ago. I was always fascinated about motorcycles, but was scared of them at the same time and there's valid reason to be.

And here's the sad fact as to why he quit responding.

He lived in Korea for 20 years since he was 19 and rode motorcycles all over South Korea during that time with thousands of near misses and one accident resulting in a hospital stay, but he made it home. He decided to move back to the USA last December and had his stuff shipped back including his Intruder bike. The day he got it last January, he put a little gas in it and was on his way to the gas station to fill up. Someone pulled out in front of him(cager) and killed him. This really brought tears to my eyes, but at least he died doing what he loved doing knowing the risks he was taking to have the time of his life. The adventure of riding.

[Yeoldetoaste]

I didn't notice this thread until now, but I appreciate the kind words you left about our Brother Rick. As you stated, he was one of the founding members of the Rotten Dead MC, a loyal friend, an amazingly fun person to be around, and one of the most generous people I've ever met.

Rick was a very popular draw at Livevideo.com and after his death there was a touching show of support for his memory, his family, and the MC from the hundreds of friends he had made over the years. You appeared to have been one of his online acquaintances as well so you know that he always found the time to share his experience and stories with others, and in turn was a great listener.

I live in Seoul and Rick lived in Pusan where the RDMC's HQ is. As a result we didn't get to see each other as often as we would have liked. I remember on one occasion he and the Pusan Brothers made the 9 hour drive up to Dongducheon. That day Rick was running on 2 or 3 hours sleep before the ride and was absolutely exhausted when he arrived. He checked into his hotel at about 11 PM and passed out into a deep sleep while the party hosted by the American Steel MC was just getting started. However, when I arrived from the other direction just a bit after midnight he sprang out of bed and passed the night talking shop and going shot for shot with me and the others simply "That's what brothers do."

Because of his self-sacrifice I knew I could depend on him to help in anyway and for anything. He loved his motorcycle, the freedom of the ride, and the sense of brotherhood we all felt together.

Anyone who loves riding knows that it's painful to be off your bike for any extended period of time. I know how tough it was waiting for his 'Truder to arrive off the ship from Korea. I know the excitement he must have felt while polishing off the new paint job and pipes he had just added to make his bike more beautiful than ever. I'm sure he was (like Serge Gainsbourg sang about) transported off the earth when he straddled the bike and hit the starter button for the first time in months. He must have felt like a kid opening his presents on Christmas morning on the upgraded bike's maiden voyage to the gas station that day� Because of a terrible accident Rick lost his life, but as you surmised, he couldn't have left this world with a purer feeling of joy in his heart. We all miss him dearly.

I know you had your bike in Thailand, and you are considering getting a bike here. Whether or not you feel like riding in Korea, if you'd ever like to get together for coffee or beer or whatever please contact me here. I'm not sure if you live closer to Pusan or Seoul, but in any case, I, or one of our club members, would love to hear about some of the correspondence you had with him. Naturally we can add a few Iceman stories of our own of course.

Thanks again for your words. It'd be a pleasure to meet you.