VALE
Dick Hamer 11/12/1948 to 10/2/2023
By Don Emde
Sad to report the recent passing of an old friend of mine and many in the motorcycle industry. Dick Hamer passed away on October 2nd. His family is having a Celebration of Life and encourages his many friends to attend. An RSVP is not required to attend. Godspeed old friend…
Celebrating The life Of Dick Hamer
Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 4th at Saddleback Church in the Plaza Room at 11 am. Lake Forest, CA 92630.
For those who can't attend, a live stream of the service will be available to view online. Dick is survived by his wife Vivian, stepchildren Jenny and Michael, one grandchild Nathan, and six siblings—Joe, MaryAnn, Jim, John, Theresa and Joanne.
Dick was born and raised in Freeport, Illinois. He attended the University of Illinois, Champagne-Urbana, graduating in 1971 with a BS degree in Marketing/Business Administration. He came to the West in 1973 and established his career in the Motorcycle Trade Publication Industry. From 1973 to 1985 he worked for Hester Communications and was publisher and sales manager for Motorcycle Dealer News. He then became marketing director for the Motorcycle and Accessory Trade Expos.
From 1985 to 1988 he worked for Burroughs & Associates, an Advertising and Public Relations firm, as Vice President and Accounts Management Supervisor.
Dick was founder and director of the Pro Rider Benefit Fund, a philanthropic non-profit corporation providing financial assistance to seriously injured American professional motorcycle racers. In 1989, Dick decided on a major career change, and became a licensed real estate broker in Orange County, California. He approached this industry with the same energy and passion that he portrayed in the motorcycle industry and became a top producing agent until his retirement in 2019. He felt blessed to have two careers that he loved.
Besides his passion for two and four-wheeled “speed”, Dick was a lover of cactus, and developed cactus gardens in every house he lived in. He enjoyed photography, underwater scuba diving, skiing, and racquetball. He traveled extensively and was able to ride, ski, and dive with his great buddies in many exotic locations around the world. He also had a love of exotic birds, and anyone who knew him knew Henry Bird and Harley Bird, his 2 Amazon Parrots. And if you knew Dick, you knew of his love of classic country music, most notably Merle Haggard. He knew every word to every Merle Haggard song. When people thought of Merle, they immediately thought of Dick! His truest passion, however, was for his family and friends.
Dick contributed regularly to many philanthropic causes dear to his heart, including Hands Across America, Habitat for Humanity, The Cousteau Society, The Audubon Society, Tunnels to Towers Foundation, Gary Sinise Foundation, and local rescue missions.
He had a true zest for life. As condolences have rolled in since his passing, the recurring comments echoed appreciation of his optimism, energy, dedication, and kindness to all who knew him.
Dick loved to say he “felt the need…the need for speed”. He is now looking at all pain and discomfort from his review mirror. He was one of the good ones and will be missed by all.
Godspeed Dick
