"Life's Journey" ends for MiniRocketman [Archive]

XR650Rocketman

12-18-2005, 04:10 PM

On Saturday December 17th 2005, around 12:00 noon, MiniRocketman died at my side in an ambulance on route to Big Bend Regional Hospital.....Life flight had been dispatched but could not get to him in time...Every effort was made to save him by the other riders and Big Bend National Park EMS team but his injuries, although still unknown, were too great...

Steve Jr was my riding partner for the last 6 years.....At 20 years of age he was the youngest child of myself and Linda and the light of our lives...

We were on our third day of riding in the Big Bend area and he was enjoying every moment of it...He was riding closely with his elder brother, who had flown in from Canada for the ride, when he caught a partially buried rock and "High sided"....

He never regained consciousness and passed peacefully....

Steve was a third year student at Southern Methodist University in Dallas and an avid Dual Sport Rider....A veteran of many desert trips....His love for riding was matched by his love and appreciation for the desert....

I'm sure that at some point in the future we will take comfort in the fact that he died doing what he loved most....That time cannot come soon enough for all who were priviledged to know him....

Although not original the following would seem to be a fitting epitaph.....

LIFE'S JOURNEY IS NOT TO ARRIVE AT THE GRAVE IN A WELL PRESERVED BODY, BUT RATHER TO SKID IN SIDEWAYS, TOTALLY WORN OUT, SHOUTING ' HOLY ****.....WHAT A RIDE'

I'll post the cause of death after the autopsy....

We'll hold a memorial service later this week, in Round Rock, to which all are welcome to attend.....I'll post the time and place a soon as possible.....

Please feel free to attach or post any photos of Steve Jr that you may have....

Thank you....

Steve Smith

kurt

12-18-2005, 04:12 PM

My God Steve, I don't know what to say. What can we do to help you and Linda?

Desert Skies

12-18-2005, 05:22 PM

Sorry for your loss Steve, I have no words.

Bagwell

12-18-2005, 06:33 PM

Man, I am very sorry to hear that happened. Please let me or anyone else know if there is anything we can do. I am very sorry for your loss, and I wish the best for you and your family.

Vaughn

Hotboot

12-18-2005, 06:53 PM

My deepest sympathy for your loss Steve. Let us TWT folks know how you are doing, and if there is anything we can do for your family.

budzrex

12-18-2005, 07:25 PM

Steve if there is anything we can do just ask, we are so sorry for your loss

Thermalser

12-18-2005, 07:49 PM

My deepest sympathy. No parent should have to lose a child. I hope you and yours can find that comfort you mentioned.

whoa

12-18-2005, 07:54 PM

The deeper the love, the more difficult the loss. I'll not even pretend to understand.

Gilk51

12-18-2005, 08:10 PM

I have read this through several times & really don't know what to say. Having two sons myself, I certainly don't understand or imagine what your family is going through...

God speed - my prayers are with you...

yes, those are tears in my eyes...

Valker

12-18-2005, 08:57 PM

There are no comforting words. Having nearly lost my eldest last February in a bike wreck, I know the fear, but not the grief. Mine only lost a foot. He nearly bled to death even with the car behind the one who hit him containing an ER doctor and the one after that had 2 nurses in it. The pain will never go away....but it may become more bearable as the years go by. I know you have more family, live for them even when the heart seems lost. If you suddenly decide there is something one or more of us can do for you, simply know that we are here and let us know.:coffee:

Chirpy

12-18-2005, 09:22 PM

I have no words, but you have my sympathy.

As a father of a 2 and a 3 year old, my greatest fear is losing one of them. I'm so sorry, and I hope you find that peace.

Tourmeister

12-18-2005, 09:59 PM

:tab There are no words that can capture the emotions. Know that for anything you may need that we can do for you, we are here, even if it is simply to listen in silence. Please post the details for the memorial services. You and your family will be in our prayers.

radarscratch

12-18-2005, 10:01 PM

All my sympathy and prayers.

Just remember this:

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace."
- Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

"Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails" 1 Cor. 13:4-8

Hood Ornament

12-18-2005, 10:21 PM

Steve,
I'm so very sorry for your loss.

Krusty

12-18-2005, 11:48 PM

So very sorry to hear this. All the best to you and your family.

SRADkneedragger

12-19-2005, 12:57 AM

The "Lifes journey" has been on my OSB account for a long time,(I'm not sure where I got it) I'm honored to see it attached to this thread. In a time such as this there is no compensation for your loss.
Just a thought, there are many exspenses that crop up in this type of situation. Perhaps we could band together as a family and set up a PayPal account if there are exspenses that you and yours need help with.
Another thought I realize this is a burden but at a recent funeral of a family member someone took the time to string together photos of him in his life with his family, friends, toys, trucks, bikes etc. At the funeral we played the slide show on a monitor and afterward gave interested family members a copy of the CD. The affect was amazing People laughed smiled cried and Most importantly REMEMBERED his life NOT our loss for a few moments. This changed the Funeral from a mourning over our loss to more of a celebration of his life. Just a thought.
Another VERY theraputic thing was after the Funeral when the immediate Family returned home we all wrote short or long notes to our departed young and old alike and placed the notes in Helium balloons the all at once we released our note to the heavens for him to read.
Lastly there are many orginizations that help counsel (Harmony Home)families in these types of loss and bereavement. They have many pamplets etc to help family members compensate with an unexpected loss.
There are no words that can mend the loss or heal the grief.
Only time will make them more bearable. Our Prayers are with you and yours in this time of grief and sorrow, we will ask the Lord to lay his comforting hands on you and yours.

Squeaky

12-19-2005, 01:05 AM

I have no words, only shock and grief. I cannot possibly know what you are going through, but know that my thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.

klrno2

12-19-2005, 05:55 AM

I'm so sorry....

A loss for you and your familiy...a beloved son
A loss for DS motorcycling...an avid and well schooled rider
A loss for Texas...a beloved son
A loss for the world...a shining star

bobcat

12-19-2005, 07:05 AM

Steve,

I'm so sorry to hear of this. You and your family are in my thoughts.

scratch

12-19-2005, 08:57 AM

Steve, I'm very sorry to hear about the loss of your son.

mary111

12-19-2005, 09:09 AM

Words can not express.....:-( I do believe that love is enduring, never ending, just hidden for a time!

Chris-V65Magna-TX

12-19-2005, 09:13 AM

Steve, so sorry to hear about your loss. I have been sitting here at the keyboard trying to think of something to type but I don't know what to say.
Rest assured that everyone here at TWT will keep you and your family in our hearts and minds and pray for you and your family.

buck000

12-19-2005, 09:36 AM

Steve, thanks for sharing your story. As a dad, I understand the intensity of emotion at the thought of losing one's child, but I cannot for a minute fathom the actual feelings you and your wife are dealing with. Hang in there, and let me know if there's anything I can do for you during this sad time.

CycleCat

12-19-2005, 09:51 AM

I am awed by your strength to already be here and posting about it and for finding what small grain of comfort you can in the fact that he was doing something he loved.

Having never experienced a loss quite like this, I cannot pretend to fully understand what you are feeling right now. But my prayers are with you and the rest of your family.

pub610

12-19-2005, 10:38 AM

Steve,
I read your post early this morning. I, too, am a father and I, too, share several interests with my son. I've had a mental loop running all morning, replaying over and over the moments that he's scared the bejabbers out of me. He's away from home, with almost a decade now in the Air Force, and living a life I can never fully share.
While I hope I never come to fully understand your grief, I do hope you know that the simplicity of your post guarantees I will never again take for granted those scattered days and hours I have with my children and grandchildren.
I pray far too seldom, but I am praying today for you and your family. And I give thanks that you've reminded me how my precious my own children are.
God bless you for finding your son's happiness in your own sorrow.
Bill Woodall

HiSPL

12-19-2005, 10:54 AM

Speechless...... I'm so sorry, Steve.

Bandit33

12-19-2005, 11:00 AM

I am so sorry for your loss, I too am speechless....

Don

Hacksaw

12-19-2005, 11:55 AM

Our Prayers are with you and yours.....

John Bennett

12-19-2005, 12:17 PM

This is terrible. I'm sorry Steve.

STrider

12-19-2005, 12:27 PM

Our deepest sympathies to you and your family. Our prayers are with you all.

Tourmeister

12-19-2005, 04:46 PM

Posted per Steve's request:

At this time I know how difficult it is to find any words that express your feelings.....The posts and emails we've received so far really do help and we thank all of you so much.....

It's most important to Linda and I to try to find something good to focus on in our time of loss....

In memory of our son Steven Andrew Smith we would be honored to accept donations to the MiniRocketman Fund.

We have chosen the Rider Down Foundation as the vehicle for this fund.

Donate here (http://twtex.com/forums/minirocketman.htm)

We will work closely with them and ,in your name, will help direct the donations to do the greatest good within the extended family world of motorcycle riders, and their families.

As you will see on their site their good work has been felt very close to home for those of us here in Texas in the past....

Collectively I think we can use the Rider Down Foundation to best celebrate our son's life and help others in their time on need...

I know Junior would be supportive of this effort.....His time with us was so short but maybe we can make some of difference for others in the future..

Thank you so much...

Steve and Linda Smith and family.

Tourmeister

12-19-2005, 04:58 PM

Also:

Linda and I would welcome you joining us to celebrate the life of Steve Jr on Thursday December 22nd 2005 at 2:00 pm.

This will be at Palm Valley Lutheran Church on Hwy 79, just on the East side of Round Rock.

Please bring your children and help us celebrate their lives also...Our children are our greatest treasure in life.

In lieu of flowers we have set up the MiniRocketman Fund at www.RiderDown.org
Donate here (http://twtex.com/forums/minirocketman.htm)

Please join us.

Steve and Linda Smith and family.

VFRJohn

12-19-2005, 06:03 PM

Dear Steve & Linda,

As many have already said, there are no words adequate to express our sorrow and sympathy. As a fellow TWT family member, thank you for allowing us to share in your grief. May God grant comfort and strength to you and your family through this time.

Rom 8:26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for {us} with groanings too deep for words;

mary111

12-19-2005, 06:27 PM

"Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails" 1 Cor. 13:4-8

And love forgives all things.......I've given this biblical passage to people I love; it is one of my favorites.

AndyT

12-19-2005, 06:41 PM

I know nothing anyone can say is any real comfort, but you have the sympathy of more people than you know. Steve and Linda, I met you and your family the day after Thanksgiving at La Kiva in Terlingua.

Andy Tiegs
Seguin, TX

Teeds

12-19-2005, 06:57 PM

I spoke with Steve this afternoon and he commented that he and Linda were doing as well as could be expected considering the situation.

Steve asked that I make sure that everone knows that Stevie's life was in God's hands from the moment of impact. There was literally nothing anyone could do other than pray, which many of us did.

Stevie was one of the finest young men I have ever had the pleasure to have known and he is true credit to his parents. Their love and affection for him was evident in every moment I have been blessed to share with them.

Stevie and I shared many mile of trail over the time that I had the pleasure of knowing him. Our last conversation was about bringing a bike to Dallas and storing it in my garage so he could get an occasional break from his studies at SMU.

Stevie will ride with me in my heart and soul on every ride I take.

Godspeed Steven Andrew Smith Jr.

Lord, watch over Stevie until we meet again.

Love,
Tony

From the left ... Steve Jr., Joel, Steve and Linda ... taken at La Kiva on Friday night.

Tourmeister

12-19-2005, 07:52 PM

If you use the Donation link on the Riderdown website, there is no place to enter an info about who the donations are for. To make sure the donations are properly credited, go to www.paypal.com directly and send money to the "donate@riderdown.org" email address. There will be a comments/note box where you can indicate who it is for.

Steven Andrew Smith a.k.a. Minirocketman

Tourmeister

12-19-2005, 08:12 PM

You can make payments here that will automatically take care of earmarking the money for Steve:

http://twtex.com/forums/minirocketman.htm

If anyone has any problems making this work, please let me know.

steved350

12-19-2005, 08:44 PM

After helping save someones life this weekend I now know how it feels to be an ECA sitting there knowing that I can't do anymore, it's now in his hands.

I also set here , tears running down my face, thanking GOD for my childern and praying that you someday find peace in knowing he has a golden dual/sport waiting on him.

Praying for ya!!!

Steve

terrebandit

12-20-2005, 03:56 AM

This must be difficult... I can only imagine.

As my son of 16 gets into MC's, this really makes me question my decision to let that happen. I grew up in a family of motorcylists, without incident, but realities like this scare the heck out of me... However, I know that I would not be the person I am today without that experience in my life. It was a great "ride" so-to-speak...

My prayers are with you and your family.

Dave

Life on a Motorcycle (http://groups.msn.com/DavesBanditHomePage/aboutme.msnw)

pons

12-20-2005, 04:37 AM

Steve that's a tragedy, your in our prayers.:(

gotdurt

12-21-2005, 01:45 PM

Wow, Steve, I am speechless. Absolutely speechless. I can't begin to imagine what you and your family are going through, but I've only known my son for a year and a 1/2, and could not imagine life without him. You and your family are in my prayers.

Had I known before today, I would see you tomorrow, but I'll be in Houston. Please know that I'll be there in spirit and prayer...

Jesse H

12-22-2005, 02:05 AM

Steve, ya'll are in my prayers.

Sprocket

12-22-2005, 06:37 AM

Nothing we can type can match the healing of time. Very sorry to hear the news. My sincerest condolences.

AustinTrophy

12-22-2005, 12:47 PM

I'm terribly sorry to hear about your loss. Unfortunately I won't be able to attend the service today as I need to help my wife care for my newborn son, but my thoughts will be with you. Being a new parent, I can only begin to fathom the loss you feel, and just that brings me to tears.

We will mourn his loss and celebrate his life every time we take throttle in hand.