Sunday, December 18, Ride at 1:30 p.m., Tribute at 4 p.m., Lower Tavern
Bob Vietzke was as much an integral part of our Orcas community as he was a contributor to our local island flair — a friend to all, always ready with his signature smile and a story to match for anyone willing to listen. Many knew him simply as “Motorcycle Bob”, and he was certainly hard to miss trundling down our local byways on his beloved vintage BMWs, white beard and mustache fluttering in the wind.
As a well-deserved tribute to his alias, the local “Orcas Island Motorcycle Group” together with our Friday Harbor friends, the “Salish Island Coasters,” will be logging a circle-island tour this upcoming Sunday afternoon, the 18th of December.
Dry roads permitting, the group will meet at the Lower Tavern at 1:30 p.m. sharp, circle past the West Sound Café, head out to Doe Bay Resort, and finish in town again in time to join the larger gathering in celebration of his life back at the Lower commencing at 4 p.m. Dress warmly and ride safely. All are welcome. Rubber side down forever, Bob!
Bob was a very good man and he will be very well remembered!
I really liked Bob V. My dad had a BMW 90/6 that Bob wanted. So for years Bob would ask me to help him get the bike. My dad stopped riding and just had the bike in his airplane hanger. Finally Bob won out and had the bike for years. Rest my brother.
The Orcas community will never have another “local character” quite like “Whiskey”. Each summer in years past, I always hoped that he would invite me to sail on his boat in the Mediterranean. Whiskey, …Save us all a seat at the “Lower” in Heaven !!!