RIP: Bruce Rossmeyer

Posted July 30, 2009, 6:46 pm


Bruce Rossmeyer, the owner of the largest Harley-Davidson dealership in the world, was killed Thursday in Wyoming while riding with friends from the Harley dealer meetings in Denver, Colorado to Sturgis, South Dakota, the site of the 69th Annual Sturgis Rally.  Rossmeyer was 64 years old. 

Rossmeyer on Growing Bolder
Growing Bolder's exclusive inside look at Bruce Rossmeyer and his business empire.
Bruce Rossmeyer's Crown Jewel
Bruce Rossmeyer at Bike Week

According to the Wyoming Highway Patrol, Rossmeyer and five other bikers were riding east on Highway 28 in Sweetwater Country and were trailing a Ford pickup that was pulling a camper-style trailer.  The truck driver slowed to make a left turn as the group of bikers were passing him. Rossmeyer, who was not wearing a helmet, struck the drivers-side door.

After a career in the automobile business, Rossmeyer opened Daytona Harley-Davidson in January of 1994 and he followed that up with New Smyrna Harley-Davidson in 1997, Grand Junction Harley-Davidson in 1997, Ft. Lauderdale Harley-Davidson in 1998, Harley-Davidson of Pompano in 2002, and Aspen Valley Harley Davidson in 2002. His empire eventually grew to 17 dealerships including the world's largest dealership, Destination Daytona.

He is also the owner or co-owner of several auto dealerships and a sponsor of the Buell team in the AMA Pro Daytona SportBike class.

He is survived by his wife, five children and seven grandchildren.

Philanthropy
Rossmeyer was a founder member of 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”  which has raised over $1,800,000.00 for the kids.

He also served  on the Board of Directors for Boys & Girls Clubs of Volusia/Flagler Counties an Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County. 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.  Events Rossmeyer created or chaired have generated over $2,000,000.00 for the Boys and Girls Clubs.

He was also a major player in the fundraising efforts for the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.



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