OP
@pdxscoot avatar
UTC

Addicted
BV500 - GTS250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 548
Location: Portland, OR
 
Addicted
@pdxscoot avatar
BV500 - GTS250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 548
Location: Portland, OR
UTC quote
Dirk Sundman, my Dad, had a good day that ended badly. He was killed this Sunday morning in a scooter accident on Hwy 9 in the Santa Cruz Mountains. I'd like to thank the riders of the Vampires M/C Club who tried everything possible to help him through this.
My Dad and I were very close. We shared a passion for many things including scooting.
He absolutely loved scooting. He described it as close as he'd ever get to flying. He was a founder and President of the Vespa Club of Santa Cruz. He had been riding since 1958...almost every mile of it on a Vespa (he did have a Bajaj for a short time). Recently, he had been working with the Vespa Club of Los Gatos on details of Amerivespa 2009.
Without having this seem too much like a police blotter, I still think the MV Community would like some details of what happened.
As I understand it my Dad was participating (very ironically or appropriately - you decide) in the Vampires Motorcycle Club's Day of the Dead ride in honor of those riders who paid like my Dad did. The ride was headed south on Hwy 9 after having just turned off 35. The ride had split into two groups. The lead group and 3 riders who were going slower. My Dad was in the slower group. They were traveling about 35 MPH and my Dad's scoot slipped on some paint. On the other side of the painted stripe, it caught traction again and flipped. My Dad high-sided off the scoot. Unfortunately he hit hard head-first into the pavement and embankment. Although there were some signs of life right after the accident, it was a devastating head injury and he died on the way to the hospital. I understand he never regained consciousness. In all honesty, this is the way he would have wanted to go.
I did get to ride with him some...in fact, we rode to Amerivespa 2007 in Seattle together! My only regret is that I did not get to ride with him more often. I always thought we'd have more time.<==Mistake!
My Mom and Sister are holding up so far. My kids and my sister's kids are mostly just quiet.
To those who knew him, my Dad was a big, opinionated spirit and will leave a huge hole.
I am in shock and beyond my ability to describe how I feel at present. I love you Dad and miss you more than you could ever know. You will be a part of every scooter ride I take.
-Arjen
My Dad and I at Amerivespa 2007
My Dad and I at Amerivespa 2007
Miss you Dad
Miss you Dad
⚠️ Last edited by pdxscoot on UTC; edited 7 times
@ks7877 avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2337
Location: So Cal
 
Ossessionato
@ks7877 avatar
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2337
Location: So Cal
UTC quote
wishing you and your family peace during this profoundly difficult time

RIP fellow rider. Godspeed.
@scooterrific avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
fluffy bunny
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2099
Location: Melbourne, Australia
 
Ossessionato
@scooterrific avatar
fluffy bunny
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2099
Location: Melbourne, Australia
UTC quote
So sorry to hear this. Really sad. RIP.
@aviator47 avatar
UTC

Moderator
2006 PX 150 & Malossi Kitted Malaguti Yesterday (Wife's)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 12955
Location: Paros Island, Greece
 
Moderator
@aviator47 avatar
2006 PX 150 & Malossi Kitted Malaguti Yesterday (Wife's)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 12955
Location: Paros Island, Greece
UTC quote
Memory Eternal!

A&A
UTC

Member
gts 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 13
Location: Santa Clara CA
 
Member
gts 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 13
Location: Santa Clara CA
UTC quote
Your father sounds like a very giving, good hearted man, with a good family. So very sorry for your loss.
@jaded avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1877
Location: Bay Area, California
 
Molto Verboso
@jaded avatar
GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1877
Location: Bay Area, California
UTC quote
So sorry for your loss.
@paul_blknblu avatar
UTC

Addicted
'2017 GTS 300 SS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 587
Location: Bicton - Western Australia
 
Addicted
@paul_blknblu avatar
'2017 GTS 300 SS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 587
Location: Bicton - Western Australia
UTC quote
I read about this earlier. I am very sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad. He sounds like a great man. I hope you have very fond memories of your lives together.
@sfarchie avatar
UTC

Addicted
'08 GTS 250i.e., 1/2 '58 Allstate (RIP), '09 Ducati M1100S (rolly polly'd), '10 Ducati Streetfighter
Joined: UTC
Posts: 970
Location: San Francisco
 
Addicted
@sfarchie avatar
'08 GTS 250i.e., 1/2 '58 Allstate (RIP), '09 Ducati M1100S (rolly polly'd), '10 Ducati Streetfighter
Joined: UTC
Posts: 970
Location: San Francisco
UTC quote
Thanks for sharing this tragedy. Prayers for you and your family.
@wangta avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
'10 GTS 300 Super, '79 Vespa P200E, '04 Vespa PX200, 2011 SportCity 300 Cube [Sold]
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2923
Location: San Francisco, CA
 
Ossessionato
@wangta avatar
'10 GTS 300 Super, '79 Vespa P200E, '04 Vespa PX200, 2011 SportCity 300 Cube [Sold]
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2923
Location: San Francisco, CA
UTC quote
Really sorry to hear this. Thanks for sharing and I wish the best for you and your family.
UTC

Hooked
Vespa GTS 300 & Honda SH 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 171
Location: Wolverhampton. England
 
Hooked
Vespa GTS 300 & Honda SH 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 171
Location: Wolverhampton. England
UTC quote
My condolences at this time.
@quipmc avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2005 GT 200L Grigio_Smoky a.k.a. "Il Grande Lebowski"
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3028
Location: B'game, CA
 
Ossessionato
@quipmc avatar
2005 GT 200L Grigio_Smoky a.k.a. "Il Grande Lebowski"
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3028
Location: B'game, CA
UTC quote
There really are no words. You and your family are in my thoughts.
@miss_otis avatar
UTC

Hooked
LX 150 "Arletta"
Joined: UTC
Posts: 347
Location: Kingston, ON
 
Hooked
@miss_otis avatar
LX 150 "Arletta"
Joined: UTC
Posts: 347
Location: Kingston, ON
UTC quote
My deepest sympathy for your devastating loss. May his memory be as a blessing for you and your family.
@trafficjammer avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2008 Teal LX125 ... 2007 Red LX150 ... 2010 Yellow LX125ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3311
Location: Tortola, BVI (Caribbean)
 
Ossessionato
@trafficjammer avatar
2008 Teal LX125 ... 2007 Red LX150 ... 2010 Yellow LX125ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3311
Location: Tortola, BVI (Caribbean)
UTC quote
Terribly sorry to hear this and wish to offer you and your family my deepest sympathies. Glad to hear that if he had to leave ... he went doing what he loved to do.
@kam avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
Black GTS 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1827
Location: London, UK
 
Molto Verboso
@kam avatar
Black GTS 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1827
Location: London, UK
UTC quote
very sorry to hear about your loss.

my deepest condolences to your family.
UTC

Ossessionato
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3610
 
Ossessionato
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3610
UTC quote
My condolences. It is always truly sad news when something happens like this. May you find peace in your memories of the good times you spent with your father.
@benito avatar
UTC

Moderator
2010 Dragon Red GTS 300 Super, 2018 Grigio Titanio Piaggio Liberty S 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 16296
Location: Toronto, Canada, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
 
Moderator
@benito avatar
2010 Dragon Red GTS 300 Super, 2018 Grigio Titanio Piaggio Liberty S 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 16296
Location: Toronto, Canada, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
UTC quote
Arjen, my condolences on your terrible loss.
@michael_h avatar
UTC

Moderator
2006 LX150 "Amadora"
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7131
 
Moderator
@michael_h avatar
2006 LX150 "Amadora"
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7131
UTC quote
This is very sad. I'm sorry for your, and your family's, loss.
@tbirdnyc avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
2007 GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 71
Location: jersey shore/nyc
 
Enthusiast
@tbirdnyc avatar
2007 GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 71
Location: jersey shore/nyc
UTC quote
My deepest condolences are with you and your family.Stay strong.
@cincinnati_john avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
'07 GTS-250ie - sold and gone
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2023
Location: the Queen City of the West, aka Porkopolis
 
Ossessionato
@cincinnati_john avatar
'07 GTS-250ie - sold and gone
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2023
Location: the Queen City of the West, aka Porkopolis
UTC quote
Thoughts are with you and your family.
@starreem avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
07 GTS250(RIP), 13 GTS300, Several Lambrettas
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2797
Location: Raleigh, NC
 
Ossessionato
@starreem avatar
07 GTS250(RIP), 13 GTS300, Several Lambrettas
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2797
Location: Raleigh, NC
UTC quote
That news is tragic. I am very sorry for your loss. I hope you can take a bit of peace away with you knowing that he died doing something that gave him much joy.
@glasseye avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
GTS, LX, VSD, VSX, VNX, LD 125, Chucky, LI125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4181
Location: San Jose CA
 
Ossessionato
@glasseye avatar
GTS, LX, VSD, VSX, VNX, LD 125, Chucky, LI125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4181
Location: San Jose CA
UTC quote
So very sorry for the loss of your dad.

I had the chance to ride with him many times, as did the others in the South Bay. He loved to ride. We had some fun together. Dirkie will be missed.

May you and your family find some peace.

R
@santiago avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
Vespa GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4750
Location: Maynard MA and Cape Cod
 
Ossessionato
@santiago avatar
Vespa GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4750
Location: Maynard MA and Cape Cod
UTC quote
I'm so sorry to hear of this. Best wishes to you and your family.
@jess avatar
UTC

Petty Tyrant
0:7 And counting
Joined: UTC
Posts: 36707
Location: Bay Area, California
 
Petty Tyrant
@jess avatar
0:7 And counting
Joined: UTC
Posts: 36707
Location: Bay Area, California
UTC quote
I didn't know Dirk well, but I rode with him on a number of VCLG rides and talked to him numerous times. I have to admit I didn't know his name -- I was only an occasional rider on those rides, and never got a chance to get to know him.

Last night, I found myself reading the thread on BARF, visualizing the turn, visualizing the tire hitting the paint, and visualizing someone I know -- however tenuously -- go down and meet their end. It's a tragic reminder of the dangers we face when we ride, made all the more real by personal connection.

Arjen, please accept my condolences and my heartfelt sympathy.
@bobovespa avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
21 75th Anniv. Primavera, 10 GTS Super 300, 64 Allstate, 61 VNB, 61 GL, 61 Lammy LI 125 Mahi Shriner, 57 Lammy LD125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1411
Location: Baltimore-Washington-Asbury Park at the Jersey Shore
 
Molto Verboso
@bobovespa avatar
21 75th Anniv. Primavera, 10 GTS Super 300, 64 Allstate, 61 VNB, 61 GL, 61 Lammy LI 125 Mahi Shriner, 57 Lammy LD125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1411
Location: Baltimore-Washington-Asbury Park at the Jersey Shore
UTC quote
Arjen, I am so, so sad about this. In the grand plan, all of our time is short. At least in your Dad's short time, in South Bay he got to ride some of the best twisty roads in the world with some of the best people he could hope to meet. Hang in there.
@birdsnest avatar
UTC

Not So Moderator
VNB VSC 09C VMA VSX - vbc vmb
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7902
Location: Hustletown, TX
 
Not So Moderator
@birdsnest avatar
VNB VSC 09C VMA VSX - vbc vmb
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7902
Location: Hustletown, TX
UTC quote
Deepest sympathies.

RIP.
@genie avatar
UTC

Gobshite Shiva
Kymco Downtown 300i the 'Dolphin Noise'
Joined: UTC
Posts: 14960
Location: London UK
 
Gobshite Shiva
@genie avatar
Kymco Downtown 300i the 'Dolphin Noise'
Joined: UTC
Posts: 14960
Location: London UK
UTC quote
i'm so sorry to hear of your loss. my heart goes out to you and your family.
@kimpossible avatar
UTC

Addicted
Tethys - 2012 GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 761
Location: Bowie, MD
 
Addicted
@kimpossible avatar
Tethys - 2012 GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 761
Location: Bowie, MD
UTC quote
deepest sympathies for your loss. my thoughts will be with you today.
@preachp avatar
UTC

Member
BV 500
Joined: UTC
Posts: 37
Location: Great white( well sorta) North CT
 
Member
@preachp avatar
BV 500
Joined: UTC
Posts: 37
Location: Great white( well sorta) North CT
UTC quote
Hi Arjen,

I am sorrowed by your loss and that of your family. You and your family will be in our prayers.

In the peace of the LORD,
preachp
⚠️ Last edited by preachp on UTC; edited 1 time
@crackhead avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
Aprilia Sportcity Cube 250ie, Stella 2T
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3186
Location: Asheville, NC, US
 
Ossessionato
@crackhead avatar
Aprilia Sportcity Cube 250ie, Stella 2T
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3186
Location: Asheville, NC, US
UTC quote
So sorry to hear of the loss to you and our community. He sounds like a great guy. My thought are with you and your family.
@still_shifting avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
Chetak
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2033
Location: New Mexico
 
Ossessionato
@still_shifting avatar
Chetak
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2033
Location: New Mexico
UTC quote
Prayers and encouragement to be stronge for you and your family. R
@timbit avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
Fly 150, 2006 black
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1067
Location: Toronto, Canada
 
Molto Verboso
@timbit avatar
Fly 150, 2006 black
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1067
Location: Toronto, Canada
UTC quote
How horrible, I'm so sorry about your loss.

Stay strong.
@quasi-moto avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
SawStop
Joined: UTC
Posts: 5391
Location: Puyallup, WA
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@quasi-moto avatar
SawStop
Joined: UTC
Posts: 5391
Location: Puyallup, WA
UTC quote
God be with you.
@jkerstinj avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
Vespa ET4
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1574
 
Molto Verboso
@jkerstinj avatar
Vespa ET4
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1574
UTC quote
Arjen,

I am sorry for your family's loss. Please accept my condolences and find comfort in your memories with your Dad.

Janine
@cfargo avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
Many
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3325
 
Ossessionato
@cfargo avatar
Many
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3325
UTC quote
I only knew him at rides since we lived so far apart and he didn't due forums. What I did know is that he was a very nice, kind hearted and honest man. He was there at my side when I went down in those same hills.

My condolences, RIP Dirkie!!
@hulking_war_machine avatar
UTC

Addicted
GTS250 Black!!!
Joined: UTC
Posts: 569
Location: Splitting the rumps of the wicked!
 
Addicted
@hulking_war_machine avatar
GTS250 Black!!!
Joined: UTC
Posts: 569
Location: Splitting the rumps of the wicked!
UTC quote
What the hells goin on? I just read there was a loss in the Royal Bastard family this weekend also. Ride safe people!
@thatbloodystig avatar
UTC

Drift Unit SC
1 Manual; 1 Auto; none other.
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1596
Location: SoSanJo CA
 
Drift Unit SC
@thatbloodystig avatar
1 Manual; 1 Auto; none other.
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1596
Location: SoSanJo CA
UTC quote
Your dad will be missed, Arjen. Everyone I know respected him in one way or another, knowing him as a kind and spirited gentleman.

May you rest peacefully, Dirkie; with the wind at your back and sun shining on your face, along those twisties into the heavens.
@ritchj avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
One of each
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3421
Location: Ranura de Monedas, NorCal
 
Ossessionato
@ritchj avatar
One of each
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3421
Location: Ranura de Monedas, NorCal
UTC quote
Dirk was the first person to say hello a couple of years ago at my very first VCLG ride.

What a loss to his family.

RIP Dirk.
UTC

Enthusiast
GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 98
Location: earth
 
Enthusiast
GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 98
Location: earth
UTC quote
My deepest sympathies to you and your family on the loss of your Dad!
@dannyh avatar
UTC

Resident Gentleman
--------2008 LX150-------- Sold
Joined: UTC
Posts: 5045
Location: Brady, TX
 
Resident Gentleman
@dannyh avatar
--------2008 LX150-------- Sold
Joined: UTC
Posts: 5045
Location: Brady, TX
UTC quote
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. May you find comfort in knowing that many are thinking about you and your family and that their prayers are with you.
@roadbum avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
'07 LX150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1293
Location: Sartell Minnesota
 
Molto Verboso
@roadbum avatar
'07 LX150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1293
Location: Sartell Minnesota
UTC quote
Deepest sympathies.

Harv
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