This is an open letter to Donald Masters, current address unknown, but believed to be resting in a better place and watching over those of us left behind.
Donald, I never knew you or even heard of you before September 7, 2009 when I saw the first post about you being a ?missing rider?. Since that time, I have watched the impact that you have had on so many people?s lives throughout the world with awe and amazement.
On September 8th, BamaRider (Guy in Alabama) and Fred_D (in Oklahoma) started raising the alarm to a higher level with statements like ?If y'all let me go missin for 6 days and don't come lookin for me I'm gonna be pissed? and trying to determine your most likely route to help others with the search. Joe (in Texas) created the Search for Donald Masters page on this web site on September 10 and the motorcycling community began to respond in earnest. Larry in New York became the overall coordinator for the search and tracked the movements and efforts of your family, friends and complete strangers who came looking for you.
Just on the ST-Owners website, there were over 145,000 views of the 2 threads directly relating to your search and 792 posts from old and new members. People who couldn?t provide direct support offered prayers, suggestions, coordination and financial assistance. Since yesterday?s news confirming your passing, 14 pages of comments have been posted to your memorial thread on this site alone.
Your situation has had a major impact on the motorcycling community throughout the world. I cannot speak to your accomplishments in life, but you have touched us in the following ways since you disappeared:
- You?ve made us aware of the importance of checking in and letting people know your ride plans ? especially if you are riding alone. I suspect that sales of the Spot Messenger will see a direct increase in the near future.
- You have renewed our faith in the goodness of others. The willingness of people from throughout the world to come together to assist in the search for someone who they only knew as a fellow motorcyclist has been overwhelming. Many individuals travelled long distances and/or devoted a lot of time and effort trying to find you.
- You have helped us to feel that we belong to a bigger community of nice people. Deb and I met both new and long time members of this board that we would be happy to welcome into our home as friends. We also met your sons Noah and Justin under difficult circumstances and we were impressed with their character and behavior.
- You?ve reminded us how important it is to tell those we love every day how much they mean to us because we never know when it might be our last chance to tell them. Life is fleeting and we never know when our time will be up.
I?m certain that your entire family (Caroline, Noah, Justin, Ashley, John, Ella, Lynne, David, Kelsey, and Erica) will miss you incredibly and wish you were still among us. I can?t say anything to them to change this, but I believe your passing has had a very positive impact on the world and that you have changed many lives for the better.
I, like many others on this board, take some comfort from the fact that you were riding a great road and doing something you enjoyed when you left us. I personally hope that I will be able to leave this world doing an activity that brings a smile to my face.
Thank you, Donald, for having a positive impact on me ? even through this tragic event.
Rest in Peace.
Al Barclay
