Donald Masters - R.I.P.

Sorry to hear about the sad outcome. Although I was not involved in the search, it was nice to see the support for our fellow riders and mankind for that fact.
 
"For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?
And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?

Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance."

Bill, I'm not big on memorization, but I think I might give that a go, thank you for posting it.
 
As Tim McCart (STimpa) said, "This has been a life changing event for many, and for me."

Donald changed my life; like many here I met him after he had gone off the road and his life had ended. I went to search for him, not certain why, but certain that I needed to. I spent an hour or so at mile marker 322 yesterday morning learning, grieving, and saying my goodbyes. This morning I'm back in La Veta, Colorado, & I've spent the day reading the forum & the memorial thread.

I lost my brother-in-law Jerry, who was born the same year as Donald, who served in Viet Nam, who was a motorcyclist, and who struggled with addictions. Sadly, I was not who I am now, and I didn't talk to him about those important things. I lost the opportunity to help him heal some of his wounds. I've regretted that for 40 years; searching for Donald was building a bridge to Jerry.

Day before yesterday Justin handed me Donald's things from the top case of the Wing; I handed them to Raven, who placed them in a box. Each of us moved each item slowly, lovingly, and with reverence. One last moment of physical connection to one gone on. I held Donald's fly rod; I'm a fly fisherman. We connected yet again. I held his hatchet; I'm known to be prepared too. He is me and I am him. You, who are reading this, are me and you are Donald. He is us; we are all one.

I've been thanked so many times I couldn't begin to count. I got home and, over and over, you who have posted here thanked all of us who physically searched, and I feel so very appreciated and so much a part of such a greater thing: humankind.

Let me tell you, though, how great a gift this has been to me. In person I met Noah, Justin, Will, Raven (May I adopt you, Raven?), Tom (who gave me room and board for four days), Tom's son, Sage (who gave me smiles galore), search partner Chance, Al & his wife (whose name I've gotten confused - Beth or Bev or Deb? Sorry!), the caring trooper, the garage guy & the Honda guy who got us into the Wing top case, the 77 year old Sheriff I met at the site, the dozens of sympathetic and helpful riders and folks I gave flyers to, the Beaverhead County deputy who was at the Saturday planning session, and probably someone else I've missed. Then on the phone or on line I met Donald's sister & brother-in-law, the ST folks who welcomed a noob Ninja 500 rider, Mellow, Colorado Friend and crew (who sent goodies for the meeting), dozens more yet to meet, and last: Larry Jensen.

I talked to Larry half a dozen times a day. Larry was simply there. Always. If I get lost, my wife will have a list of folks to call for help; Larry's at the top. I cannot imagine the agony and frustration he has gone through being so far away, yet Google-mapping his way right to the ground we were walking and wading on! Larry, if you ever need help, just call. I'll be there. You are the rock that we all held onto in the rapids that this event took us through. Thank you, my friend.

What an honor it has been to be a part of this. My thanks to all.

Love to you all, and especially to Donald and all the family,

Rod House AKA: Old2wheeler
 
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Well said my new-found friend and brother.

Would that I could express those sentiments so eloquently.
 
Rod,
You have me speechless. What beautiful words. I am thankful that Noah and Justin such wonderful people to be there with them in their time of need.

The entire team was just filled with wonderful and amazing people. It was an honor on my part to work with you all.

I look forward to a day where we all can sit together at Mile Marker 322 and raise a toast to Donald.
 
Might I recommend root beer all 'round on August 31st. No matter where you are, no matter what you're doing, come around sunset, take a moment and remember.

If you happen to be in Idaho, I'll see you there....
 
Rod, Donald's family members and friends... your words were eloquent...and loving

Searchers, worriers, idea generators, researchers,donators, pray-ers, well-wishers, encouragers,readers, supporters...your actions were eloquent....and loving.

May we continue these attitudes and actions not only in times of need, but also in times of everyday events...that would be the best tribute we could pay to those we have lost.

Carole, womantriker
 
Might I recommend root beer all 'round on August 31st. No matter where you are, no matter what you're doing, come around sunset, take a moment and remember.

If you happen to be in Idaho, I'll see you there....

JuST poST the spot a few days early so some of us can consider the drive.:):07biker:
 
My name is Lynne Masters, and I am Donald Masters? little sister. To him I was the little girl in the cowboy hat and boots wearing a red vest and toy pistols, who, through my Oreo cookie and milk mustache,dared my big brother to play with me. We never got a picture of this moment, but Donald reminded me of it frequently, and his description will stay with me for the rest of my life. Every time he spoke of it, this image always brought a smile to his face.

Sometimes parents are weary when their youngest begins maturing, and it becomes hard for them to give guidance to a child who has yet to grow up, especially when the parents must face their own limitations in light of their other older children. Donald courageously stepped into that space as my best friend and mentor, giving me the anchor steadied me through my toughest teenage years and beyond. Indeed, he became my role model.

I was a young teenager when he left for Viet Nam. I was terrified of losing him. To fill his absence, he gave me a reading list of 15 books and plays which included Sartre?s No Exit and Dostoevsky?s Brother?s Karamazov and with a careworn smile told me we would talk of them when he returned. His point was ?Know Thyself,? a motto he lived his life by. When he left, I read everything on that list, and yes, we talked about them when he came home. He also told his friends to look out for me, and they did. In his absence they were there to offer insight, companionship and shelter during some of my most turbulent teenage times.

As many of you know, my husband and a small group of friends, my sister, my brother-in-law, our daughters Kelsey and Erika and I were blessed to have seen Donald one last time. I learned a long time ago from one of my daughters (and as someone also posted on this thread) that you never say goodbye to anyone you care about even if they are just going around the block without telling them you love them. I am comforted in the knowledge that I took that admonition to heart when my brother left our house one last time. Although our daughters didn't get their chance to say goodbye, I think he knew they loved him deeply when he left.

Donald was a man of great passion who wanted to make a difference in the lives of others. I believe he accomplished that wish in more ways than he could ever have imagined. The overwhelming response from all who have seen the posts about him has illustrated that wish and shown that his faith in people was well placed, that in the most difficult of times people will give you their best to help and now they honor another?s memory.

I think riding was a form of prayer for Donald from which he took great solace, sought absolution and perhaps received it. This may be why he preferred to ride alone or with only one other person. It appeared to me to be a deeply spiritual experience for him. As with many riders, riding gave him great peace, allowing him to regroup and find his center again. Not too long ago, he told me that if he had his choice of how to leave this world he would prefer to be riding on his motorcycle with a smile on his face. I believe God granted him this wish.

When David told me he had posted our concerns about Donald missing on the Pashnit forum, neither he nor I had any idea of the overwhelming response it would generate. That post was brought over here, and your responses and of others on other forums and in the motorcycling community are a testament to Donald?s deep abiding faith in people. It is also a testament to my brother?s deep abiding faith in God. Your kindness and concern sustained us during those terrible hours we searched for him. I believe I can say the same for Noah, Donald?s son who remained steadfast in his search for his father after David, Gary and I had to return to Walla Walla. All of you who have responded have my sincere gratitude and that of my family, particularly that of Noah, Donald?s son. I would like to give special thanks to Larry Jensen, Joe Norris, Jeff Wahl, Raven, Rod, Gary David and all the countless others who participated in his search by giving their time, thoughts, and compassion to our family and to his memory.

I also want to thank all of those who were unable to actually participate in the search but who offered suggestions, support and prayer and thoughts for us during those painful days and who would have helped search had distances been less or circumstances different. Your empathy and condolences have lightened our load, eased our grief and made our way into each day without Donald easier. Thank you.

Preparations for a memorial service in Denver are underway. When they have been finalized, we will post the information on the forum, so that those who are able to attend may be able to do so.

David will be planning a memorial ride to the site next summer, and we will put out information on the forum about the ride when we make those plans. We are also exploring placing better warnings about the deceptive curve in the road where Donald had his accident. David today exchanged e-mail with Trooper Duncan Hedges, who investigated the accident, to ask whether it would be possible to add more signage at the curve. With private donations we may be able to fix that. Finally, I have been informed that Idaho does not prohibit memorial markers at these sites, and we will looking into this option as well.

Again, on behalf of all who loved Donald, we thank you for your concern, support, care, best wishes and condolences. And yes, we firmly believe Donald will be with you when you ride with your pegs down.

Lynne
 
Announcement of Memorial Service

Memorial services for Donald Jackson Masters will be held Saturday, Oct. 3, at 2:30 pm at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 1280 Vine St., Denver. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA, Dec. 2. Memorial gifts may be made to Contemplative Outreach of Colorado to the Donald Masters Memorial Scholarship Fund for 12-Step Outreach retreats.

660782273_TMLNn-M.jpg


We hope some of those who helped and supported the search for Donald can attend. I will be there with Lynne and our two daughters, Kelsey and Erika.

The full obituary is here:

Donald Jackson Masters, 63, Denver, CO. died Aug. 31, 2009, as a result of a motorcycle crash near Salmon, ID. Mr. Masters was born Feb. 9, 1946 in New York City, son of Donald and Mary Lee Masters. He graduated from Trinity Pawling prep school in New York in 1964, from Yale University in 1972 with honors and from the University of Pennsylvania law school in 1976.

Donald served as a First Lieutenant in the 82d Airborne Division of the US Army in Vietnam in 1969 receiving the Bronze Star and Purple Heart as well as other medals. He practiced law at the firm of Rogers & Wells in New York City and at Holme Roberts & Owen in Denver. He was General Counsel of United Cable Television in the 1980’s and a founder of United Global Communications. Masters was an entrepreneur, involved in a number of business ventures, including Access Television, The Recovery Network, Hart Exploration and Aspire Behavioral Health.

Mr. Masters was active in the recovery community and heavily involved in Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Contemplative Outreach. He worked with Father Thomas Keating of St. Benedicts Monastery in Snowmass, CO to offer retreats in Centering Prayer for those in recovery and co-produced the video series, The Contemplative Dimensions of the 12-Steps, with Father Keating. His insights, wisdom and compassion blessed the lives of many, especially those who struggled with addiction.

Donald loved the outdoors and touring the open road on his motorcycle. He died in a beautiful location doing what he loved.

Donald is survived by his son Noah Masters, currently of London, England; step-son Justin Spicer, Denver, CO; step-daughter Ashley Turner Harrington (John), Golden, CO; granddaughter Ella Caroline Harrington, Golden, CO; former wife of 24 years, Caroline Turner, Denver, CO; and sisters Lee Eichert (Joe), Orofino, ID, and Lynne Masters (David Grossman), Walla Walla, WA., and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial services for Donald Jackson Masters will be held Saturday, Oct. 3, at 2:30 pm at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 1280 Vine St., Denver. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA, Dec. 2. Memorial gifts may be made to Contemplative Outreach of Colorado to the Donald Masters Memorial Scholarship Fund for 12-Step Outreach retreats.
 
Wow...these last two posts from family are so powerful. Lynne, thanks for taking the time to talk about your brother....and Smithee...thanks for the obit. What a read.

I'm very sorry for your loss. My thoughts go out to friends and family....and to all who helped in the effort to find Donald. A job well done....

Forest
 
Our Thoughts go out to Donald's family and friends. There is never a good time to loose a loved one but for him to say how he wanted to go and then to have it happen in such a beautiful place doing what he loved somehow is very sacred and special. I hope you can find comfort in that . I am very proud of all that came together to help to find him.
Ride free Donald.
Sue & Gene Martin
 
rod

your words are among the most poignant and from the heart i have encountered.
they show me just how much you cared for donald and his family

you knew him more intimately than most and passed along your thoughts for us to learn about this remarkable man who struggled with powerful demons yet overcame so much.

no matter where i am i will raise a glass of root beer to donald.
.....and to you rod for showing the kind of man and friend you are.

rob
 
I heard the very sad news whilst away touring, not what I wanted to hear. I rode a day with my rear pegs down. I could do no other.
RIP Donald.
 
I just read the obituary for Donald Masters. A man I never met nor never knew, who lived and died a world away from me.

Most will never know how the network of volunteers that blossomed from this site with Joe in Texas and reigned me in here in NY ended up with a top missing person expert who was referred to me from Donald's friend down south. This expert lives a short drive from my house.

Now as I read the obituary I come to learn that Donald has strong connection to NY. He was born here in NY, went to school just down the way from me.

It reminds me of a time I was riding cross country. I had left Nebraska that morning and had been riding a while without seeing any other bikes on the road when up ahead I spotted one. I rode for a while trying to catch up, but never did. Approaching a city, I took the loop around as I watched the biker disappear from my sights. Reentering the highway I once again saw the biker and caught up to him. I immediately saw we both had NY plates (tags) We rode for a while until I needed gas and he followed me. A quick fill up and we agreed to ride a while together and get dinner eventually.

It was over dinner in a fast food establishment that we discovered we were both from the same town and his son use to work for me.

Up until the search for Donald Masters, it was this event that reminded me just how small the world is. Now I sit here today and once again, the stranger on the highway that crossed my path via the internet is indeed a neighbor. Our paths may or may not have crossed in NY, but certainly we both walked the same paths, drove the same streets and ate at the same restaurants be it hours, days or years apart.

Donald Masters, you continue to touch and shape many lives.

I would like to reach out to the motorcycle community and ask that you submit via PM, suggestions for a Highway sign we can place before the curve asking fellow motorcyclist to slow down in Donald's honor.
 
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