Michigan Cycling Friends,
It is with a heavy heart that we report that the League of Michigan
Bicyclists (LMB) recently lost one of our founding fathers. Tom Ferstle,
Age 62 of Rockwood, Michigan died July 22, 2012.
An avid bicyclist, Tom played a big role in Michiganıs cycling scene
including the early history of LMB where he served the organization in
numerous capacities over the years. Tom was involved in the founding of the
League in 1981 and went on to serve as one of LMBıs founding board members.
In this capacity, he also served as treasurer for many of the early years
before helping to organize the first Shoreline Bicycle Tour East Route in
1988. He served as Tour Director for this tour from 1989-1996. In 1992,
Tomıs commitment to the League deepened even further when he took on the
role as LMB Administrator. Serving in this capacity until 1996, when LMB
hired our first full-time paid staff, Tom handled the day-to-day operations
of the organization out of his home.
Fellow LMB Board Member Jim Dougherty, shared this remembrance,
> ³I had the privilege to serve with Tom on the Board of Directors for the
> League of Michigan Bicyclists in the middle 1980ıs. Tom was always the voice
> of reason. His kind and gentle manner was infectious and calming. He was very
> compassionate in the effort to boost the sport of recreational bicycling in
> the State of Michigan.²
Tom also served as Vice President of the Board of Directors of the League of
American Wheelmen before they became the League of American Bicyclists. In
addition to his involvement with statewide and national bicycling issues,
Tom also helped advanced bicycling locally in SE Michigan. In 1978 he
founded the Downriver Cycling Club, after being approached by a young
bicyclist who was interested in taking up cycling as a serious sport and was
looking for people to ride with.
Tom told him about how he co-founded
Monroe County Cycling back in 1972 before moving to Wyandotte, and that all
it would really take is two or more people to have a meeting and start
spreading the word. He currently was serving as Vice President of Downriver
Cycling Club and was an avid promoter of various local cycling events
including the Metro Grand Spring Tour, A Peach of A Ride, Bike Feast, and
others.
A visitation for Tom is being held today, Wednesday, July 25 from 2:00 PM to
9:00 PM at The Trenton Chapel - Martenson Family of Funeral Homes in
Trenton, MI. A Life Celebration will be held at the same location tomorrow,
July 26 at 10 am. Please visit the Martenson Family of Funeral Homeıs
website
<http://martenson.tributes.com/show/Thomas-Mark-Ferstle-94174628#services>
for more information.
--
John Lindenmayer
Advocacy & Policy Director
League of Michigan Bicyclists
(517) 334-9100
416 S. Cedar St, Suite A
Lansing, MI 48912
www.LMB.org
