I cannot think of anything worse than the sudden death of a child. It’s just not the natural order of things but damn, it happens in this big complicated world of ours and it always hurts like hell.
No one suffers the agony and sadness more than the parents. Losing a child has got to be the most devastating loss of all. For parents, life is changed forever. But it’s not over. There are ways you can keep their memory alive such as through teak memorial benches as a wonderful tribute to them. Although it can seem like the light has gone out, it won’t be that way forever. Let me tell you about Ross “Kiwi” Tomas.
Kiwi Ross loved Bonneville.
Young Ross was the only son of motorcycle industry icons, Kiwi Mike and Kiwi Mom Carolyn Tomas, Owners of Kiwi Indian Motorcycles in Riverside, California.
I have had the privilege of meeting these good people over the years during my Bonneville Speed Week adventures…Good people all around I tell yas. Really good people.
Their son, Ross, was a chip off the ‘ol man’s mechanical genius block combined with a touch of Carolyn’s big heart and loving spirit. A great kid. A young man with unlimited potential and a truly great future in the motorcycle business. Ross loved the Salt and he was a developing Salt Flats Speedster. A great future awaited his talent at Bonneville.
Click here for a few pics of the 2009 Father and Son Team of Mike and Ross Tomas. They had a blast with Guy Mobbley’s Bonneville Wrecking Crew Team.
Kiwi Ross Tomas – Set a 2009 Bonneville Speed Record.
A Bonneville Speedster in the making.
Kiwi Ross set a record at Bonneville Salt Flats that year as the world’s youngest Indian rider in 2009…we’re talking speedster talent.
Kiwi Ross, as a member of the Kiwi Indian Racing Team, rode a Vintage Indian Bobber with the Klock Werks Racing Team to set a record of 98.035 mph in the M-VF 1650 class. He had a personal best of 98.443! Click here for Ross’s place in the famed Kiwi timeline.
Sadly, 20 year-old Ross was killed in a motorcycle accident close to the family home in Riverside, California on Tuesday, July 22, 2014. Sad day. Really sad day it was.
Unfortunately, motorcycle deaths and accidents have become much more common nowadays. Whether it’s down to weather conditions or reckless driving, there seems to be more demand for a Motorcycle Accident Attorney in recent times. Hopefully, something will be put in place to prevent any more tragic accidents and deaths like Kiwi Ross’.
“Everyone is extremely sad around here, Kiwi’s teary-eyed Office Pro, Angie Proffer, whispered on the phone when I called her to see if there was anything we could do for the family.
Chatting with Angie today, I could feel her pain. We both have young adult boys in our families and both became numb talking about ever losing one of them. Man oh man, my heart goes out to Kiwi Mike and Carolyn…From my family to yours — So sorry for your loss!
Motorcycle Funeral – it’s what young Kiwi Ross wanted.
A Motorcycle Funeral and Public Memorial will be held on Thursday, July 31, 2014.
Please meet at Iglesia Palabra, 4183 Fairground Street., Riverside, California at 9:00 am. You will note that this is Kiwi’s previous business location. Click on the address link above and note photo of the building and church sign for reference.
A graveside service will follow at the Evergreen Memorial Historic Cemetery, 4414 – 14th Street, RIverside, California at 11:00 am.
The plan is for the motorcycle funeral procession to ride from the church through Fairmount Park and over to the Evergreen Cemetary where young Kiwi Ross will be laid to rest. Funerals are always tough occasions for all those close to the departed which is why the service is best handled by those with experience in burials and cremations, like Tuell-McKee Funeral & Cremation Services, to ensure that your loved one is sent off properly.
Dress Code Note:
In honor of Kiwi Ross, dress will be T-shirt and jeans and if you can, please ride your motorcycle in the funeral procession.
Contributions: In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent in Kiwi Ross’s name to the:
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame
P.O. Box 602
Sturgis, SD 57785
re: Kiwi Ross Tomas Memorial Contributions
Hey, there are no words to describe the pain of losing a child so I won’t even try.
No matter how one looks at it, surviving the death of a child will hurt and it will hurt bad, no matter how tough you think you might be. The Tomas family needs plenty of time to grieve and giving them privacy during this time is really important. Kiwi Mike and Kiwi Mom Carolyn, if they can, will be heading out to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally after the funeral…it will surely be 1,300 miles of both tears of sadness and tears of joy as they remember the good man that their son was.
They are planning to be in Sturgis for the unveiling of Kiwi Mike’s “Vintage Round The World Bike Tour” on Sunday, August 3, 2014. This event will be held at the Cross Roads area of the Buffalo Chip.
You can follow Kiwi Mike’s Round The World adventure, along with Greg, his enthusiastic Vintage Indian riding Wingman, on Facebook and on Instagram.
Also, there will be a Kiwi Ross Memorial Ride on Saturday, August 16, 2014 in the Twin Cities, MN. Note your calendars. More information to follow.
God Bless Kiwi Mike and Kiwi Mom Carolyn. Our prayers will follow them down the highway as they head out to Sturgis, South Dakota. Perhaps the mayhem of what is the world’s most spectacular motorcycle rally is exactly what they need to get through this difficult time.
Ride the highway to the heavens Kiwi Ross. You will surely be missed.
Kiwi Ross, Mom Carolyn & Dad Kiwi Mike. Bonneville.
Ride Safe Out There.
Motorcycle Marc
God Bless You Kiwi Ross. RIP.
Note: Copyrights and Trademarks are the property of their owners. No infringement ever intended. See footer of this website/blog for more information. Music used with permission from recording artist. A big thank you to Kiwi Cash Counter & Chaos Coordinator, Angie Proffer, for images and assistance in the writing of this difficult blog post. You may contact Angie anytime for more information on anything to do with Kiwi Indian Motorcycles via email: [email protected] .
