Just heard that a member passed

Thank you, Brian, for posting that. It is always hard to lose a friend, especially a fellow sidecarist, as they are "special" friends.

Jim Keesee.  Keesee is the correct spelling and he was from Spokane Valley, WA.  (Not to be confused with Dave Keesee who passed away a couple of years ago and was an integral part of both Hannigan and Freedom Sidecars.)

Jim was a member here.  Found this photo of his dog Dixie --->

Sorry, it's the only pic I found.  Perhaps some of you might remember the guy with the BMW rig that had bright green wheels?  Pretty sure I met him at the Chelan Rally one year.

RIP, Jim.

Our long time member in the northwest, Sidecarbikerbillie in Idaho, sent a message:

"I haven't been keeping up with the Forum or the sidecar contacts. I have been a member for decades. I am writing to inform you that four members of USCA have passed on in the last 12 months. Del West was from Red Deer, AB Canada, Then Scotty Witcher, of Post Falls, ID, Just this last week, Jimmy Keesee of Spokane Valley, WA and Sunday morning, Tom Wells, of Reardan, WA. passed away. All four gentlemen were long time members of sidecar riding clubs and will be sorely missed by all who knew them. I am the United Sidecar Representative from Idaho."

We all remember meeting one or more of this group of dedicated sidecarists who befriended us over the years. Their passing leaves a hole in our lives, yet knowing they are sidecaring together somewhere is a comfort.

Be safe, ride long...

Jan Daub

USCA President

Oh, jeez, I was just on the phone with Tom last week.  We talked for over an hour.  Of course, if you knew Tom, you knew that ANY conversation was likely to last at least an hour.  That man was a GREAT storyteller!  He lost his 15-year old sidecar buddy Petey two weeks ago (Petey Crossed the Rainbow Bridge), and he and I reminisced about good times both our dogs had playing together (my Kirby is also 15).  Tom was also one of the sidecarists featured in Sit Stay Ride the movie so if you haven't watched it recently now would be a good time to see and hear him again.  Tom was on O2 24/7 because of lung damage caused by pneumonia but he was still his regular self.  He posted up here 15 times in the last two weeks sharp as ever.  He also served the USCA for many years as the Washington State Rep.  Everybody liked Tom!  Such sad news.  What a great guy.  I am wrecked.

And Del West too?  We rode together back in 2013.  In fact, he and I had one of the most spirited rides I've ever done on a sidecar -- from Kaslo to Sandon on Rt 31A.  Hell bent for leather with him on a watercooled R1200GSA belonging to Jay Giese and me trying to keep up on my tall R1150GSA.  That man could ride!  I don't have any real good pictures of Del but here he is on our ride up to Idaho Peak.---->

Pic of my rig and his rig that same day.  Del with the red hat back to the camera --->

It's  hard to  "like" the two  posts above,  but I  kindly  thank  both @CCjon and @DRONE for passing this  information on to the  rest of us. 

As we all age, make friends  within our  small  community,  it's  going to  get  harder each year  as more and more  of our sidecarists  cross over  that Rainbow  Bridge. 

To Del, Scotty, Jimmy & Tom.....Ride On Brothers.....Ride On 😎 

Tom will be deeply and profoundly missed. I first crossed paths with him nearly a year and a half ago, as I was on the hunt for a new-to-me bike with a sidecar. Our initial encounter took place within the confines of a forum, and from there, a connection blossomed. Tom shared that he owned a Harley Ultra classic with a Liberty sidecar, but was hesitant to part ways with it. However, our conversations continued to deepen and evolve, eventually leading to an invitation to his home to inspect the bike in person.

What was intended to be a brief visit stretched into five hours of engaging conversation and captivating storytelling. Tom's ability to regale me with tales of his travels and life experiences left me spellbound. Following our meeting, he made the decision to entrust his beloved bike to my care, recognizing that it would be cherished in its new home. The price was set, and after diligently gathering the necessary funds, I returned to finalize the purchase.

Despite Mother Nature throwing a curveball in the form of a snowstorm on the day of our scheduled meeting, Tom's generosity and kindness shone through. He insisted that I leave the bike in his shop until the weather cleared was better for riding. With the transaction complete and the titles exchanged, a month later the weather was good enough to bring the bike home. I embarked on the journey home in wintry conditions, a testament to the bond forged between Tom and me.

Our communication continued in the weeks that followed, with Tom extending a helping hand when my ride encountered mechanical trouble. He encouraged me to join a motorcycle club, further solidifying our connection and shared passion for two-wheeled adventures. Tom's unwavering positivity and resilience in the face of life's challenges left an indelible mark on all who knew him. He will forever hold a special place in my heart, and his absence will be keenly felt. Rest in peace, dear friend.

I too am shocked and saddened by that news.. Only briefly met Tom and Petey on a ride just before the Coeur d'Alene Rally. Then more conversation at the rally. 

Jim I knew better but still Fleetingly. He was a very active member of our riding group even though it is a mostly Canadian group. When we first met he had a pristine BMW R1200 RT. which he would never venture onto gravel with.. Also he would Motel it at any Camp Out that we had.. Hence the nick name "No Camp Jim" But missing the comradely that goes with a camp out late at night, he decided to embrace camping full on. After that, I couldn't keep up with the equipment he gathered, even though I tried. 🙂 Dixie was always along for the ride and guarded that side car with a passion. 

Any ways I attribute my transition to sidecars to Jim. The idea was there but he set the Hook. His last few years were not much fun so his passing is sort of a blessing but I will still miss his jovial laugh and friendship 

Posted by: @dennis-peabody

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...What was intended to be a brief visit stretched into five hours of engaging conversation and captivating storytelling....

This is one of the attributes of sidecar enthusiasts that we enjoy ... most of us are welcoming and enjoy a good story.

Posted by: @miles-ladue

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...As we all age, make friends  within our  small  community,  it's  going to  get  harder each year....

Yes, it sure is. I never had an opportunity to meet Del, Scotty, Jimmy or Tom in person, but knew of 'em -- certainly be missed.

So sad to hear about Tom… even if we only met once at the Sit, Stay, Ride reunion some years ago we exchanged messages weekly on FB and shared our love of dogs and sidecars… I’ll miss him dearly.