Bruce Rossmeyer philanthropist entrepreneur. A long-time Daytona Beach resident whose remarkable business success was matched only by his dedication to family and his charitable achievements died on Thursday in a motorcycle accident while riding in Wyoming as he and a group of friends were headed to the Sturgis biker rally in South Dakota.

Bruce leaves behind his loving wife Sandy - as well as five children and nine grandchildren. Bruce and Sandy met when they were students at the University of Southern Mississippi. When he was just 24 Bruce bought Rossmeyer Dodge in Washington New Jersey the first of his many successful car dealerships. As their family grew the Rossmeyers settled in Ormond Beach in 1972. In 1994 looking for something fun to do in his retirement Bruce bought his first Harley-Davidson dealership in Daytona Beach. In just fifteen years Bruce expanded this family business into the largest chain of Harley-Davidson dealerships in the world - with 15 locations from Ft. Lauderdale to Boston.

In 2005 Bruce opened the crown jewels of his empire: the world's largest Harley-Davidson dealership and Destination Daytona. The 150-acre complex - which includes Daytona Harley-Davidson restaurants bars shops hotel and condos - quickly became one of Florida's premiere tourist destinations for both bikers and non-bikers alike. Bruce's passion was motorcycles but family was his first love. As wide-ranging as his business empire grew to be it always remained at heart a family business.

All five of Bruce's children -- Mandy Wendy Randy Will and Shelly - have throughout their lives been actively involved in the family business from a childhood of helping out in the showroom to currently managing significant aspects of his businesses. Bruce's love of children was evident in the joy he received from his grandchildren but it wasn't limited to his own family. His humanitarian and philanthropic endeavors are countless but his main focus was on charitable work that helped children.

Bruce was a founder and served on the Board of Directors of Camp Boggy Creek a summer camp for children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses (a division of The Hole in the Wall Camps founded by Paul Newman) and was a dedicated year-round fundraiser for the camp. For the past 15 years Bruce's "Ride For Children" motorcycle event has raised well over three million dollars for Camp Boggy Creek. Bruce served on the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Club of Volusia/Flagler counties which named its Holly Hill unit "The Rossmeyer Family Unit" in recognition of Bruce's tireless fundraising efforts and personal contributions.

Bruce's interest in the Boys & Girls Club began when he joined the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County and his many fundraising events - including the VQ Bikers Ball in Daytona and the Bikers Bash in Ft. Lauderdale - helped to raise over two million dollars for the Boys & Girls Clubs. The Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital named a family sleeping room in Bruce's honor for his generous support - which includes the Ft. Lauderdale "Toys In The Sun Run " a fundraising event for the hospital that is also the biggest one-day bike event in Florida. Bruce's dedication to charitable causes was as wide-ranging as his business interests. He pledged time and money to both The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Serenity House and to The Darrel Armstrong Foundation which offers support for premature babies. His work for the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation (which aids disadvantaged youth) was so appreciated by Orlando Magic owner Richard DeVos that the team honored him with a jersey featuring his own name and "number " which was retired. The Youth Automotive Training Center in South Florida was also very dear to his heart.

Bruce recognized and appreciated that the success of his charitable efforts were only made possible through the tireless support and contributions of so many. They included friends family partners business associates employees volunteers and the countless supporters who gave selflessly and generously their time energy and contributions. His wife Sandy and the family's greatest wish is to continue Bruce's legacy of giving.

Bruce's long involvement in the civic and business life of Daytona was unmatched. His varied businesses helped to vitalize the Daytona Beach area and to create jobs and opportunities for local residents. He was instrumental in the creation of the Bike Week party on Beach Street in 1994. Bruce embraced and helped to continue the tradition of Biketoberfest an autumn event that now attracts well over 150 000 attendees to Daytona Beach. In addition to his Harley businesses locally Bruce is part owner of Daytona Toyota Palm Coast Ford and Deland KIA. Bruce served on the Daytona Beach's Police Athletic League Board of Directors and was proud to lease the city its motorcycle police fleet - for a fee off one dollar per year per bike.

Bruce is survived by his wife of 45 years Sandy and his children Mandy Rossmeyer Campbell and her children Annie Hunter and Trip Campbell of Ormond Beach; Wendy Rossmeyer Van Patten and her husband Tim Van Patten and their children Grace and Anna Van Patten of New York City and Ormond Beach; Randy Rossmeyer Blalock and her husband Paul Blalock and their children Parker and Ellie Blalock of Lakeland; Will Rossmeyer and his wife Lynn Rossmeyer and their children Anthony and Gannon Rossmeyer; and Shelly Rossmeyer Pepe and her husband Dean Pepe of Daytona Beach. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents William H. and Ella Rossmeyer of Ormond Beach and his brother William R. Rossmeyer of Ft. Lauderdale.

Bruce's appetite for life and the way in which he lived it are legendary but what he will be most remembered for by those who knew and loved him was his total devotion to his family. Family and friends please join us for a celebration of Bruce's life on Tuesday August 4 2009 at 11a.m. at Christ Presbyterian Church 1035 W. Granada Blvd. Ormond Beach Florida with Pastor John Cole officiating. His family will also receive friends on Monday August 3 2009 from 3-9 p.m. at Lohman Funeral Home Ormond. In lieu of flowers please help us continue Bruce's lifelong commitment to helping children in our communities.

Memorial donations can be made to the Camp Boggy Creek 30500 Brantley Branch Road Eustis Florida 32736 www.boggycreek.org or Boys & Girls Club of Volusia/Flagler counties 101 N. Woodland Blvd. Ste. 400 Deland Florida 32720-4296 or Boys &Girls Clubs of Broward County at 877 N.W 61st. Ft. Lauderdale Florida 33309 attn: In Memory of Bruce Rossmeyer. An additional celebration of Bruce's life will be held at a future date.