Donald Masters - R.I.P.

Wonderful People
I have been following in awe the search for Donald Masters! His Sister and Brother-in-Law are friends of mine. Thank you first, to all the people who don't know David, Lynn or Donald, but gave of themselves selflessly to try and find him. Although the outcome is not the best, it is closure. David and Lynn didn't know where to go next to find Donald, so all of your help was taking care of avenues they could not have gone by them selves.

I am a 55 year old woman who has ridden bike all my life. Started with dirt bike, lots of jumping, racing and such. Then onto horses and boats, not enough time for motorcycles. Have a real bad back (bone on bone from L-! to S-5), so horses were ruled out, but motorcycles were back in. I can't do even a 1/4 of what I used to do, but riding the bikes helps make up for it. The sights and smells are enough make me wonder why everyone doesn't ride a bike! If I had my way, I would be riding every day, even every weekend, but there always seems to be something that gets in the way! Work is the worst for getting in the way. My husband rides also, so we do a lot of weekend trips together. Grand kids love to ride, so they come along once in a while.
 
It has been a long 3 weeks since Donald set off from Orofino for Denver. He left our house in Walla Walla on August 30, and left his sister Lee's house on the 31st. It was not until late the following Thursday I heard from Bill Evans that Donald had not made it to Denver as scheduled. Bill's e-mail to me set in motion the search that ended in the call from the Lemhi County Sheriff yesterday morning telling us Donald had been found.

As Caroline posted, Donald was a complex man. He was a good, caring man who treasured his friendships and his family. Lynne and I are grateful we got to see him a last time - me camping with him in Crescent City on my birthday on the 28th and then Donald visiting Lynne and our daughters Kelsey and Erika in Walla Walla. He also spent time with sister Lee and her husband Joe in Orofino before leaving on his last ride. His loss will leave a void in all of our lives.

We are gratified, however, at the response of friends and others we have yet to meet who responded generously and selflessly to this crisis. I do not want to name names, as the list is long, and I do not want to inadvertently leave anyone out. Let me say that everyone on this forum, as well posters on other forums, Facebook and elsewhere helped in the effort to find Donald, whether it was coordinating the search from across the country, lighting a fire under law enforcement, searching on the ground, or providing suggestions, concern and prayers. This tragic event brought us all together, and I feel I know many of you even though we have yet to meet.

Thank you to everyone here and on other forums, who kept up a sustained search effort for Donald. Your efforts sustained us after we had to leave Montana last week and to head home and assist with the search on the telephone and internet. Words cannot express the gratitude Lynne, I and our children, as well as other family and friends have for this wonderful riding community.

Last year, Donald told Lynne that when he checked out, he wanted it to be on his bike, with a smile on his face. He got his wish.

Rest in Peace, brother.
 
Could not be said any better Al. As far as the marker, let me know what you guys need whether it time, money or help, I only live 100 miles up the road. Would be an honor to help out on that.
 
womantriker said:
Ride free Donald....there are no ditches in Heaven. Heartfelt prayers and condolences to your family, and deep gratitude to the extended family of riders who are there to help a "brother" (or "sister") in need. I am sure Donald would be proud to ride with any of those who could get there to help with the search...so those riding home, ride with pegs down...know that Donald is riding with you!

Rest in Peace Donald.

womantriker, Carole
Click to expand...

Nicely said.

RIP, brother. :cry: I can only dream of having as many friends.
:TiWing1:
 
Al and Carole stated it best, IMO. RIP, Donald. I never knew ya, but we're brothers.

Now, after all the soul-searching and heartelt condolences (Caroline, please pass mine to the rest of the family)...

(Mods, move the following to a better spot if deemed appropriate, not meaing to hi-jack.)
How are we gonna use this event to help the next missing rider? (Could be me!)

Debriefing session required, how to coordinate it tho?

o What worked?

o What didn't work?

o How to make it better/faster next time?

o How to start the ALERT sooner? (I'd rather have an aborted search than a crash victim at the bottom of a ravine for three days!)

o Media?

o Law enforcement/search and rescue?

o Coordinators and data clearing points?

o SPOT!!

o Joint effort and coordination among forums? I'm talking ST-Owners/ST-Riders/GLRRA/Hog/FJR/V-STROM/ADV/ other DIRT groups/DUC/Triumph/Concourse/etc.

I've been pretty much on the side-lines during this whole effort as I wasn't in a position to really help. But it's been pretty much constantly on my mind. When Derek (my son) was killed many years ago no search was needed. He was at the bottom of a ravine but lots of surrounding civilization. The first person to reach him was a trauma nurse. Between his accident and Donald's there has to be a "survival" plan: Find'em first, save'em second. In Derek's case there was little hope tho they tried; in Donald's case we don't know yet but we're all hoping he didn't suffer.

So, bottom line, what are we gonna do to help the next victim get found sooner??

I welcome PM responses and/or a separate thread.

I welcome input from the other sites.

Fondly hoping (fingers crossed) that all the searchers make it home safe.
 
George, I posed this question to Larry, I wanted to give him some time to walk away from this for a while as he's been pretty much on this hard and this weekend his girlfriend's mom passed away. Pretty incredible guy to deal with everything going on.

Once he has some time to go over his notes, he'll probably post a 'suggested action' for the next time this happens, hopefully never.

That template will be in the Rider Assistance forum as a starting point for that type of action.
 
Having just joined this forum after reading of the missing rider, naturally I did not know him but my thoughts and prayers go out to his family and it was a good gesture on the part of all who searched for him. Just wish it could have been a different ending.
Rest in peace Mr. Masters.

Larry
 
RIP Donald Masters. I never met you. But you must of been someone special. I prayed for a differant outcome. But I am just glad you were found. Your family and freinds needed to know. One way or the other. Now I will say a prayer for your family and freinds. To help them get through this tough time.
 
Donald, Godspeed and in your passing you have brought so many people together. I am sorry I never had the opportunity to ride with you. To your family and friends may peace be with you. Rob
 
I just explored the last Curve that Donald rode...Via Google maps using Raven's Description... the street view photos were taken in what appears to be the Fall time frame... It was described as peaceful, I would have to completely agree..

Again, Rest in Peace my friends and my prayers for healing to your family :ang1:
 
As a friend of Donald's brother-in-law, David Grossman, I felt connected to him. As one intimately familiar with the country he rode through in his last hour, I felt Donald was a friend too. Few places on earth are more beautiful.

I would choose such a place for my last moments. Would that we all could choose as well.

I pray for comfort to my friend, Don's sister who is his wife, and all Donald's family.
 
Anne and I are so grateful for those that jumped in to make this search happen. Makes us so proud to be a member of this riding community.

Donald Masters, after my last ride, I will see you on the other side my brother.
Jefro.
 
My heart is heavy. I was the person who called the sherrif's dept. on my FS radio when the elk hunters pulled me over after discovering Donald Masters. I live 1 mile from the accident site and have driven past there at least twice a day since he landed there. It is a bad corner on a beautiful road along a beautiful river. I will always think of him when I go by. There is no way anyone would have found him from driving by even though it is a highway. Only a fisherman or someone watching the elk across the river and brave enough to stop on that corner.
I have read every posting in order to process the discovery. It was nice to learn about Donald through these pages. I feel connected in a rather strange way.
My sympathies go to the family and friends that have lost Donald. All of the riders and searchers have been unbelievably devoted.

May peace come to all of you and I will give him a nod every time I pass.
 
Thanks so much Linda for your kind and thoughtful words. Please take with you all the goodness and love shown by so many people that cared so much, even for a person whom they never met. Each time you pass this turn I hope that you will feel this goodness. I am sure that Donald and his family do.

Dan
 
Linda, just want to add my thanks to that of all the others on all the forums who were involved in this search. Sorry you had to get involved but please know that all here and throughout the motorcycle community support your efforts on our behalf. Your sympathy and compassion just add to the total being passed to Donald's family from everyone here.

In compassion, I am...
 
All my sympathies go out to the family and friends of Donald and all my thanks and respect to all of you who so unselfishly gave of their time and resources in the search effort. I can't express how heartwarming it is to see people pull together in a tragedy to help someone else they don't even know. But for the grace of God go I. A thousand cheers for those who gave what they could.

Gary
 
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