Polar Bear Grand Tour picture taken November 1, 2009 at Lewes, DE
From obituary appearing in NJ.com:
Richard E. (Poppy) Wohltman, 66, of Bayonne, passed away on Sunday, April 28, 2013 at the Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, New York. Richard was born in Bayonne and resided there all his life. He was a Roofer for Elite Roofing in Bayonne for many years. He was a member of both the Last Chance and Polar Bear Motorcycle Clubs in New Jersey. Beloved Son of Mildred (nee: Maak) and the late Roy Wohltman; devoted Husband of Marie (nee: Banacki); cherished father of Dawn, Jamie, Jenn, Adam, Mark, Donna and Denalyn; adoring grandfather of many grandchildren and great-grand-children; dear brother of David, Dennis, Beth and the late Donald and Chris; dear brother-in-law of Donald Sokolowski; loving uncle of many nieces and nephews; and friend of Bill W. for over 19 years.
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Excerpted from a letter written by his good friend, Nicky Gee:
Richie was my brother from another mother. We faithfully called each other every morning for several years. He was the most honorable man I have ever met. We were friends, knew what each other were like as friends, how our families were alike.On the day of his last ride, Richie pulled me aside, and said he wanted a cigar and pulled out the grape ones he enjoyed. We were leaning on the railing looking at White Lake and he said, "Gee, we had some great times, like when we went to Ohio, canoeing down the Delaware, and riding."
On that day we also talked about family. I asked about the girls and he said they were well and I reminded him to not ever sleep under the same roof as me because one time I did while his girls were around and I snored badly.
And Joe, he admired you. He looked up to you especially about putting a trailer on the back of your bike. He liked that idea.
To me Richie was like the sun, he warmed everyone's heart. And for me, it was fun all the time. For when Marie went away for a weekend, I slept there. I put my key in the door and with my bags in my hand, I walked in. As everyone knows, Richie would be on the couch. He yelled, "Hey Gee, Marie left you something." I put my bags on the table. Lo and behold there's a note. It said, "Gee, Richie likes when I wear this. Love Marie." I removed the tissue paper and picked up her nightgown not even realizing the bag was a Victoria Secrets bag. That's how we rolled through life - fun and games.
Sometimes we'd sit in his garage smoking those cigars talking about everything, moms, dads, kids, family, friends and everyday life in general.
Richie was a brother that no matter where he went he got me a t-shirt, North Carolina, Florida, wherever, he always came back with a gift for me.
There's only one thing I know in my heart ... that Richie loved to ride. And for you guys from the Last Chance, he was going to make a comeback. We planned on doing a lot of riding together and this was our 2nd trip together recently. That day he came to my house early in the morning, had coffee and rode and he was happy. He wanted to go to dragons tail for a 2nd time.
And there is only one other thing he loved more than riding his motorcycle and that was his wife Marie.