Sadly we have received word that BCI Member #1946 Norm Moyer passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 26th. He was 79 and would be 80 on August 3rd.
His wife Mary is gathering their family from a-far and will let us know when & where we can try to gather to remember her inspirational and generous husband.
She has requested no calls, emails or texts at this time, but a card of love & support in the mail would be welcome.
Norm joined BCI in July of 1992, and was our Ride Coordinator for 7 years.
He recovered from heart surgery and celebrated the 1 year anniversary of that ordeal just a couple of months ago, with a climb over Newport Coast - but he admitted he actually had to down shift to his middle chain ring... We are sure he was riding this week right up to the end of a wonderful life.
He has led and joined many on adventures far and wide, and was a dear friend to many of us.
He will be deeply missed and warmly remembered.
His Obituary is posted.
”Norman was born Aug 3, 1940 in Buffalo, NY to the late Edward L. and Norma (Keener) Moyer. He completed his formal education earning a PhD in Solid State Physics at Purdue University in 1968. Moving to Southern California for a job with Hughes Aircraft, he married Mary Lewis in 1970. Norm and Mary resided in Newport Beach the entire 50 years of their marriage. In the early 1980's, Norm left Hughes to start his own Semi-Conductor Company, where he worked until his retirement around 2010 or so (retirement came in fits and spurts as he wound the business down). Norm once said he spent the first half of his life being a nerd, and wanted to spend the second half being an athlete. He took up biking and running in his 30s, eventually sticking to biking. Committed to environmental causes, he greatly preferred to use his bicycle for his transportation needs. Even well into his 80th year, he averaged 200+ miles per week in 2020. He took on volunteer leadership positions in Bicycle Club of Irvine, with whom he spent much of his free time. He also enjoyed planning bike excursions all over the US, and was known as a generous and gracious host to those he traveled with. The last trip he hosted was in Feb 2020 with his children and grandchildren to celebrate his 50th Wedding anniversary. Norm was a joyful and kind soul, always making time for his children and grandchildren. When not cycling, he enjoyed sailing, kayaking, and socializing. He named his business "Sunshine" and his boat "Nature" because they were his favorite ways to spend time. He enjoyed antique aircraft and vehicles, eating cookies, and his main vice was Mountain Dew. He spent his last day perfectly, with a 30+ mile bike ride, chatting with old friends, and having dinner with his wife. Norm is survived by his wife Mary, 2 brothers, Ron (Sandy) Moyer of Louisville, KY, and Fred (Starr) Moyer of Marion, IA, and 3 children, Michael (Anita) Moyer of Vessel in Transit, Sarah (William) French of Perry, AR and Daniel Moyer of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, and 3 grandchildren, Ivy, Ike and Rose French, all of Perry, as well as a host of nieces and nephews.”
The COVID pandemic will prevent a formal service for Norm.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Nature Conservancy.
Anyone who has memories and photos to share, please send them in and we will add them here.
President Marc Urias said “Nothing could stop Norm. Broken Hip, Heart surgery, he kept his focus and rode on. Norm, his smile and orange bike will be remembered by so many of us.”
Mellisa Adams sent this via FaceBook with a few pictures:
“Rest in peace, my dear friend Norm. When I joined BCI back in 1994, you were one of the most humble and unassuming club members I first met. While most of us spent thousands for lightweight racing bikes, you rode around on a rusty rig laden with heavy panniers. But at six-feet and a mere 140 lbs, you had the ultimate advantage: a lightweight frame and power-to-weight ratio to which most of us could only aspire.
Since we both lived in Newport Beach, we began riding to Deerfield together to meet the club. On those early morning trips around the Back Bay to Irvine, I learned you had a Ph.D in physics. You named both your integrated circuit company and your sailboat “Sunshine” because you liked to be in it. You had a wife and three kids.
Eventually, it became clear that you rode your bike EVERYWHERE, not only in the OC, but up Fargo Street, L.A.'s steepest hill; to and across Iowa multiple times for RAGBRAI; around Hawaii and a few other states; and through Italy, Thailand, and Guatemala. You considered riding from California to Arkansas for your daughter's wedding but nixed the idea, thinking you might steal the bride's thunder—unlikely as you'd doubtless do it without telling a soul.
You served as ride coordinator for BCI, hiked with the Sierra Club, and organized tours for fellow cyclists. You honored me and my late bestie Marlene by naming us social directors of your boat. Your holiday parties became legendary and your generosity extended to sails around Balboa and Newport Harbor.
You were our sober, quick-witted captain and we all thought you'd live forever. But you died as peacefully as you lived, in your sleep, just shy of 80, without the fanfare and fuss of illness. You'll be sorely missed and fondly remembered by all who knew and loved you. Happy trails, Norm, and thanks for sharing your inspiring life with us!”
Rhonda Larson said: “So many miles, so many bike rides together....I will never forget Norm. He will be in my heart forever.”
Alex Lim posted “I'm so so sad to hear about Norm's passing, when I joined BCI in 2012, Norm Moyer and Patti Hoskins became my first two closest friends almost instantly. I couldn't believe he's gone. Norm Moyer, my cycling mentor who rode 250,000 miles on his bike ... you'll be missed and will always be in our hearts.
Rest In Peace my friend! 😞 “
Mike Heitzenrader shared that …we emailed each other last week. He was sounding really good. Wrote that he was riding every day for about 200 miles a week. Wrote back “got to stay in shape!” I’m glad I got to know him. I will miss him in many ways.
Lisa Neal posted a few photos and this to FaceBook: “Norm organized many bicycle trips for all his friends, always keeping budget in mind while leading us to places like the Columbia River Gorge ride, Northern California coast to San Francisco and a tour of the Big Island in Hawaii. He was always generous of his time and very organized with cue sheets, campgrounds and accommodations. Welcoming us into his home in Hawaii before and after the tours. He also rode with us on our Glacier NP and Waterton tour riding down the going to the sun road. A True original, he will be sorely missed”
Penny Poorman shares: “Norm had the biggest fan club of anyone I know. We all loved him. He was generous, kind and oh so witty. I wish I had written down those quips I called Normism's. On many tours he was my domestique pulling me up the hill, coming back down to check on me and riding up again. No hills or mountains fazed him. Always open to riding "new territory". Now he has plenty of new territory. Saying he will be greatly missed is a huge understatement. It will be hard to ride and not see him on his orange bike. The loss is huge.”
Cheryl Kyle: “Norm was one of a kind, an exceptional human being. We will all miss him.”
Doug Peterson: On many levels, he's one of the most memorable people I'll ever meet. I'm sure everyone has numerous Norm stories. We will miss him for a long time.
Bruce Paynter: A Friends Reflection
Lynn Katano: I was just reminiscing over photos from my first self-contained bike tour with Richard, Norm, and Kathy. Great memories. ❤️
Lynne Billie: I am so sad losing Norm. I met him in 1993, when I joined BCI. He was just the beacon of the club, everyone knew him and everyone admired him. He was always himself, wasn’t into the latest or lightest bike 😳 or things, I was surprised when he started wearing jerseys! Just a dependable, lovable guy. We seemed to meet up on the Back Bay trail a lot and I just saw him a few weeks ago. He was on his way home, he seemed fine and was his merry self. We had a few things in common. He called me his “fellow cross country friend”. Norm rode across the US a year after I did, but of course I rode with an organized group that took care of most things, but not Norm, he planned and rode his own ride. I remember riding with him and Kathy Shapiro leaving from the Jack in the Box off PCH in Huntington to Ventura and then doing the Cool Breeze Century the day after. I remember Norm riding up to Big Bear, then riding the century and he would have ridden home if his bike didn’t break down so I gave him a hitch home! We did Ragbrai and the many trips south with the club. I will miss this sweet soul and will always think of him on the Back Bay trail! RIP Norm, you’ll never be forgotten!
Karen Lewis-Cook shared: I had the privilege of crossing paths with Norm on his final ride. I was leaving Crystal Cove State Park after a pitstop, headed up Newport Coast. Norm passed in front of me at the intersection on PCH, headed for Laguna Canyon. I shouted his name and he pulled over. We talked for about 5 or six minutes. I feel blessed to have seen him and talked with him that day. I was shocked and saddened to learn the next day that he had passed away so suddenly. He called himself a “cycling evangelist” and that’s exactly what he was. He was dear friend an inspiration to all of us. He will be deeply missed.
Mary Moyer wrote:
”We scattered Norman’s ashes off his boat on Friday morning. (July 3rd)
Sunshine Yellow flowers, Mountain Dew and chocolate chip cookies and bike parts.
His favorite things by his favorite people.
A beautiful morning.
And the sons and son in law each wore a piece of his clothing”
