My name is Bill Hulburd, I am aka Slow Poke on the PMRG site. I am a American Legion member out of post 108 in Prescott Valley – but live in the valley. I would like to transfer my membership to your post, although I live in the northwest part of the valley.

I was on the mountain Saturday. I was lucky enough to be able to sit at Padre’s feet on the hill side after he when down and try to comfort him a bit.. I was in shock when I learned he passed on in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. My heart goes out to all his brother and sister riders with ALR, Post 2. Please pass on my deepest sympathy to all. I did not know him, only shaking is hand in the main parking lot at the bottom of the hill before the ride up, but know he will live in all of us.

Bill (aka Slow Poke)

Hey weed Meg called me Sunday and told me the bad news. On behalf of 105 I like to say how sorry for your loss I only met him a few times he was always very nice to me. If there is anything we can do for you please let us know ok bro.

Big Al 105

I am truly sorry for your loss.

I know that place and have been there many times.

It is good to be able to know that you can care that much for another human being and experience the richness of honor in you.

Eagle

We The Salt River District of the MMA are sorry to hear of the loss of Don Pender. Our Prayers are with you and our hopes of a full and speedy recovery of his passenger Fluff.
Mike Shearhart
MMA/SRD/Dm

my name is craig, i am with the cma. please let me know what the cma can do to help.

PMRG POSTS

From John Fox

PMRG and the American Legion Riders from Post 2 forged a bond on May 18th when Richard had a terrible crash while out riding with PMRG members. ALR members arrived on the scene and without question and gave aid because that is what bikers do for each other. Yesterday, tragedy struck again when ALR member Donald 'Padre' Pender was riding with his ALR mates along with PMRG and had a crash. PMRG members and ALR members administered aid the best they could until medical services arrived, but he passed on a short time later at the hospital.

Our passion is an unforgiving passion. But one that creates strong bonds that I am very proud to be a part of, fills me with honor to be a member of this group, and humbles me by the outpouring of emotions from both.

Please join me in sending positive energy out for Donald to send him on his way, and for the continued safety of our fellow riders, by whatever means your beliefs provide.

ALR Post 2 has updated their home page in memory. I have also updated our home page to honor Donald's memory.

From Larry

Although it was a tragic ride and my first with the group, the support and camaraderie exhibited by the group was inspiring. I did not know Padre and Fluff but my thoughts are with them and their families, including all of the Legion Riders. If anyone has information regarding a memorial service please post it, so that I and others who may want can pay their respects.

From Axeman

My thoughts and prayers are with "Padre and his family". I never met him but as a fellow biker It hurts when a tragedy like this happens. I was there at the ride and saw how we all came together to help our brother.

God has a purpose for all of us and we all know we are here just for a short while. I believe that "Padre" was doing something that he loved.

TAKE CARE MY BROTHER.... ADIOS AMIGO

From Laura

I am deeply saddened by the news of this accident. My heart goes out to 'Padre' and to his Fender Fluff.

From Eric

It's not very often that I don't have the words,today is one of those days. I am very proud of all the riders that were there and pulled together the way they did. There were members that it was there first ride with us they jumped in like they had been with us for years. My heart goes out to all the Legion Riders and their families for their loss.
I have only had the honor of knowing Padre a short time and he will be with me and my memories for the rest of my life. He was a great man and will be missed by many.
With the events of the last three months two groups of riders were thrown together, a new brotherhood was formed that will last a lifetime.

Tumbleweed please let us know if there is anything we can do. There is a family here that is ready to help.

Yours in Brotherhood
"Happy Feet"

From Brenda Fox

May peace carry you, Padre, and grace pave your way.

From Karen

May God be with Donald "Padre" you and your family are forever in my prayers.

From Mulepwr

I was there when Padre spoke of brotherhood,Eric spoke of camaraderie and Richard spoke of humanity.
I would appreciate anyone posting the services notice as I would ride in his honor column.

From Rita

For our very special PMRG Group and all the legion riders this did show once more that our passion can be unforgiving as John Fox said; and it does also show what kind of bonds form between riders. My heart goes out to all that knew Padre or were there at South Mountain, to Richard who lead the most beautiful full moon ride despite the "heaviness" he must have felt; that ride was a good way to honor anyone and anything!

From Slow Poke

Life as we know it on earth goes by in such a flash. Never miss an opportunity to hug a friend. The next time you look around a brother or sister may have passed you by. Hold your head high and be thankful for those that have touched you and made you a better person. Although I only sat at Padre's feet for a brief time on the hill side it was an honor to be there for him. I know anyone of you would have traded places with me. My heart goes out to all those he touched in life but please know he will always be with you.

From Marty Clutter

Never underestimate the power of Friendship nor the bond that we have for each other.... B.O.B and the Ladies of PMRG extend our heartfelt prayers and thoughts to the Pender Family

From Mike Reina

This was my first ride with the group, and it was a long tragic day. I was 2 bikes behind Padre that day. We were just coming down the mountain I saw that Padre was going over the double yellows on the 1st right hand bend going into an "S" section, he over corrected and his front tire caught the edge of the opposite shoulder, jerking the bars to get the front wheel over the hard edge the bike went across the road at a 45 degree angle to section of the road that had no shoulder or guardrail and a steep drop into the canyon bellow. I was held by Phoenix Police after they were notified that it had become a fatal accident until a special detective arrived to interview the 2 American Legion brothers and myself that witness the accident. We where finally released at about 5PM that day from the Park Ranger station. My heart goes out to Padres family and brothers and sisters at the American Legion.

From Dayle

As I sit here pondering the tragic event of this weekend, I cannot help but have a heart that goes back & forth, from sorrow to gratitude & pride. I do not know of one person there that day that did not do something to assist in the efforts needed. Whether it be down at the scene or up above, everyone did what folks do to lend a hand, comfort, get water, keep a watchful eye, stay out of the way, make sure all bikes/folks were secure & safe. Whatever was done, was done as a team, a group of people who may or may not have known each other until that day. There was true Brotherhood flying strong......May his passenger find comfort in all of the outpouring & heal well and quickly. Our hearts go out to those lives that were touched by Padre. May his spirit fly free, live on in your hearts & memories, & know he is watching his brothers & sisters from a bird's eye view with his wings spread wide....Rest in Peace Padre.

Dayle & PT

From Steve Erickson

Hello Everyone. I am not a rider but a friend of Don's for about 8 years. And Tumbleweed, I completely know what you are saying. He could definitely drive me nuts at times as well. But he had an absolutely huge heart and treated me as a son. Thank you to everyone that did what you could to help him and make him comfortable after the accident. And Fluff, my heart goes out to you as well. I hope that you fully recover.

This is from an email that I sent to ALR this morning. I thought I would share it here as well.

I just read about the passing of my friend on your page. We had lost touch after the closing of our favorite hang out, Rio Salado Brewery, where we used to shoot pool together. He and I were the ones to beat. I was friends with him as he went through his knee surgeries. And watching how quickly he recovered was definitely an inspiration. He was determined not to let that slow him down. He could be a bit much at times, like we all are. But he had a huge heart. The prolonged illness of his wife and her passing a few years before we met was also extremely hard on him. So when he was able to get together with friends and not think about his loss, it was a great relief to him. He could be cranky, but he did love to be around people. I am glad that he was able to find a group of friends as well as a girlfriend to share in the last few years of his life. I am sure that being a part of The American Legion Riders meant everything to him. And although premature, he passed away doing something I know he loved.

I live back in Chicago now. But if you could provide me with details on the services if they have not happened yet, I would greatly appreciate.

RIP Don. You will be missed.

-Steve

From Josh

as of right now i still don't know what to say.... my ride home was one of the longest i have ever had just thinking about what happened, what i could of done differently, knowing i have first aid training didn't hit me until i was away from the scene Eric did all he could and i know that we as a group did what we had to do and we did it. Don you will be missed God bless love josh

Our Brothers & Sisters Acknowledge the Passing of Padre...

PMRG POSTS