Lost a Good Friend and Mentor over the Weekend

[Jeff Higgins]

Found dead in his big old easy chair out in his shop, with his dog at his feet. Probably passed on Saturday, police found him this morning on a wellness check. Only 69 years young, an avid runner up until some heart problems began to limit that just a couple of years ago. Once the heart problems started and he could no longer run, it was pretty fast downhill from there, with him being largely unable to walk for most of this year. It looks like he went peacefully, right where he wanted to be, with who he wanted to be with. RIP, Ray...

I first met Ray back in about 1973 when I became fast friends with his little brother John. Ray had served in Vietnam as a medic, but was by then beginning his career as a Harley mechanic. Ray eventually opened his own shop, and his reputation began to grow. In his day, he was one of the most noted builders of hot-rod Panhead, Shovelhead, and Ironhead Harleys. His bikes actually won our local Seattle Custom Auto Hot Boat and Speed Show four or five years running, in the motorcycle category. His drag bikes always did quite well up and down the West Coast, winning many championships.

Ray was quite the innovator. He was twin plugging Harley Shovelheads by the late '70's, and had managed to shoehorn in small block Chevy 2.02" dia intake valves, and some Ford exhaust valve that was available sodium filled (no one had thought of that for Harleys just yet). He made his own belt drive primary, using a blower belt from a top fuel car, long before they were commercially available. Lots and lots of cool stuff, well ahead of the times.

But most of all, Ray was a friend. Older brother to one of my best, lifelong friends, Ray taught us both to ride and work on the old Harleys. He turned many a wrench on that old Sporty I still ride today, patiently working his way through something I had probably previously screwed up. I think if it's nice out tomorrow, I just might have to fire her up and go on a ride, just to remember Ray.

[billybek]

Nice tribute.
Sorry for your loss. 69 isn't that old.

[pete3799]

Sorry to hear Jeff.
My condolences.

[Evans, Marv]

Condolences Jeff. Sounds like he had a great life of fun and creativity in a guy sort of way. Sad to hear of somebody like that passing, & yes 69 is still young.

[widgeon13]

Sorry to hear this sad news. Condolences.

Hate to say it but I would gladly go in my easy chair with my four legged friend at my feet!

[Gretch]

[greglepore]

Lost a Korean war vet/harley guru a couple weeks ago to cancer, hit me hard. Peace to you, brother.

[Jeff Higgins]

Thanks guys. I think you would have all liked Ray, he was "one of us", in that consummate "gear head" kind of way. Different interests, but same motivations and curiosities. He did love my Porsches, by the way, and definitely related to them.

So, his daughter is going to take care of all of the legalities surrounding his estate and all of that. Ray was an avid shooter and reloader, so there was another connection we had made over the years. His little brother, and my best friend, will undoubtedly wind up with most of that stuff. Good thing he shares those interests as well.

Then there is Ray's bike. It's a '73 Shovel in a rigid frame of his own design and fabrication. It has all of Ray's signature touches - stroker flywheels that have been machined to a knife-edge and thereby lightened by half, the custom valves, some form of Sifton cam, twin plug ignition, Eliminator SU carb, and on and on. Absolutely one of the most bea-tchin' Shovels ever built. It's obviously going to wind up in John's hands.

The problem is, John skippers a fishing boat out of Dutch Harbor, and is gone much of the year. And he now lives clear across the state. And the bike has not been started in years - kind of hard to start a kick start only stroker Harley when it's getting difficult to walk... And it likely needs a good bit of attention before it can be started.

So, that might just fall to me. Funny how life works out sometimes. From being the "young punk" being cussed at under his breath (in a teasing kind of way) as the "master" fixes the bone head mistakes I used to make on my bike, to being the guy left to getting his bike up and running again. It would be an honor. I know John won't have the time, so we will talk about this when the time comes.

[masraum]

My condolences. Sounds like a great guy. The world is a little less rich now.

[Bill Douglas]

Sounds like he had a great life.

Edit: I think he would have liked his loyal dog to be well looked after.

[greglepore]

Don't get yer ankle broke...just sayin.

[pwd72s]

Condolances, Jeff. All I can tell you is that losses like this one will happen more often as your years add up.

To the point that you wonder why you're a survivor when so many buddies are gone.

[crustychief]

Sorry to hear of your friend Jeff, sounds like an amazing guy.

[Hard-Deck]

Jeff, he lives on well with you, his daughter and son. Ride your bike with a smile.

[Noah930]

Sorry for the loss of your friend, Jeff.

[RNajarian]

Sorry pal, he’ll always be with you.

[LakeCleElum]

Very sorry to hear this Jeff.......69 is way too young.

[jhynesrockmtn]

Condolences Jeff, sounds like a great and interesting guy who lived life his way.

[GH85Carrera]

Condolences Jeff, we all have to die at some point. To die sitting in a comfortable chair sure beats a long drawn out hospital stay for one's final weeks or months.

[Rikao4]

sad to hear....
and another vote for looking after the dog..
as I believe that's what he would ask..

Rika