Bruce Rossmeyer, owner of the largest chain of H-D dealerships, dies on his way to Sturgis
Harley-Davidson Tycoon Bruce Rossmeyer, 66, owner of the largest chain of self-named Harley dealerships in the world, died Thursday, July 30, on a Wyoming highway while riding out to the Sturgis biker rally in South Dakota.
Passionate about motorcycles, Rossmeyer’s name will always be synonymous with The Motor Company. His history is unprecedented; in 1994, Rossmeyer purchased his first Harley dealership after being quite successful as a car dealer in Daytona, Florida’s biker capital. What started out as a side job and hobby selling Harleys turned into one of the largest names in Harley-Davidson culture.
He then began building his Harley Empire in South Florida, opening dealerships in New Smyrna Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach, as well as expanding into Colorado, Massachusetts, Mississippi and the Graceland-themed dealership in Memphis, Tenn.
Rossmeyer’s primary residence in Ormond Beach was a serious Harley-Davidson Mecca. It’s here where he created “Destination Daytona”: a 150-acre tourist attraction featuring the world's largest Harley-Davidson dealership and places for fans to eat, drink, sleep, get married and buy a condo. He also owned a condo in Fort Lauderdale, where he was a part-time resident.
A gray-bearded iconoclast, Rossmeyer was featured in a GEICO commercial for motorcycle insurance, and it’s reported that he entertained an offer to be in a reality TV show. He loved this publicity. “Publicity is what sells,” Rossmeyer told The Miami Herald in 2007. “It’s a way to promote me and sell more bikes.”
And besides he’s success in dealerships, he was also a philanthropist, giving and helping raise millions to needy organizations.
According to the bio on his Web site, Brucerossmeyer.com:
• Bruce is a founder and serves on the Board of Directors of Camp Boggy Creek, a Division of The Hole in the Wall Camps founded by Paul Newman. The biggest fundraising event that benefits the Camp is his very own “Ride for Children”. Bruce made a commitment to raise $1,000,000.00 in ten years for the Camp and after the 10th Annual Ride was over, proceeds totaled $1,800,000.00 for the kids!
• Bruce also serves on the Board of Directors for Boys & Girls Clubs of Volusia/Flagler Counties. His involvement has led to the creation of naming rights to specific B & G Club locations. The Boys & Girls Club unit located in Holly Hill has been named “The Rossmeyer Family Unit” after Bruce committed $100,000.00 to the Club. He is actively seeking other corporate commitments from area businesses for naming rights to other clubs located in Volusia/Flagler counties.
• Bruce has been a major player in the fundraising efforts for the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital as well. The Ft. Lauderdale Toys in the Sun Run is held the first part of December every year and benefits the hospital. This 25 mile Toy Run attracts over 30,000 bikers that parade down I-95 to I-595 out to Markum Park. Broward County completely closes these major highways down for the police escorted ride to the park. Once arriving at the park, there are rows of vendors, eateries and major bands performing during the biggest one-day bike event in Florida. The Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital also named a family sleeping room at the Visitors Clubhouse in “Bruce Rossmeyer’s” honor for his continuing efforts to help the children.
• Bruce also serves on the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County. His main bike related involvement includes: Co-Creator and Sponsor of the VQ Bikers Ball held during Bike Week in Daytona and Committee Chair and Title Sponsor of the Bikers Bash held the weekend of the Ft. Lauderdale Toys in the Sun Run. These events have generated over $2,000,000.00 since their inception benefiting the Boys and Girls Clubs.
Rossmeyer is survived by his wife Sandy and his five children, Mandy, Wendy, Randy, Will and Shelly.
