Join us in the fight against ALS today!
Current Donations: $20,550 * $4.89 per Mile *
This Ride is Dedicated to all Who Have Endured ALS
From Vancouver Sunrise Rotary Club:
John Schaffers was a friend of mine. Not only a fellow Rotarian and dependable team member for any activities he chose to participate in, he was our club's rose master, a past club president, and a "master" touring cyclist. Some of my favorite vacations were as a participant in self-supported bicycle tours he led in Eastern Oregon and an amazing 10 day summer trip in Southern Oregon and Northern California. John was always out front on his beloved touring Bike Friday Bike, had all the maps, and made arrangements for beautiful places where we camped along the way.
John completed a mostly solo cross-USA self-supported tour after he retired. On one of his later adventures after that I helped cart his gear to his beginning point near Mt. Hood from which he intended to bike from north to south in the Cascades and Sierra Nevada Ranges. A couple of days into that trip he was smoked off his route from wildfire smoke during the severe fires that summer. I followed his tribulations and met him to drive him home.
John was quiet, honest, strong, and really smart. He was a good friend and a teacher to me. When he revealed his ALS diagnosis he did it with personal courage and a willingness to try a trial treatment that he hoped could help others. I NEVER heard him complain or play "what if...". Even in advanced stages of his illness, John took advantage of available tech to keep communicating and moving. Club member David Weedman and I would walk beside John in his motorized wheelchair when he wanted to get out as long as he was able to see his neighborhood. He had a lot of family and friends support in his final days because he had himself cultivated relationships and was a good friend to others. -- Bob Ives
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Bob Knight​
As I remarked at Bob Knight’s celebration of life, “I was a close friend of Bob’s, but that’s not saying anything, because if you met Bob once, you were a close friend. Bob had no strangers in his life.”
Bob passed away on December 14, 2024 from ALS at home with his wife Paula and dog Pepper by his side.
After graduating from high school Bob went to Army basic training and then on to the West Point Prep school. He graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point in 1980. His first assignment was at Fort Lewis, where he met Paula Unglaub, a nursing student. They were married on July 23, 1983 and had two sons, Kyle and Scott. The Army took the family to Fort Benning, GA, West Berlin, the Presidio in San Francisco, Heidelberg Germany, Mannheim Germany, then back to Fort Lewis. Bob retired as the last Commander of the Vancouver Barracks.
Bob then worked in the private sector before becoming the President of Clark College. After his retirement in 2019, Bob never slowed down. From Ireland to Scotland, Alaska to Hawaii, between fishing, golfing, volunteering, sporting events, meeting up weekly with many friends, and extensive service in the Vancouver Rotary Club, Bob was always on the move with a focus on serving others. So it was no surprise when Bob was named First Citizen in 2016. Bob truly lived life to the fullest and family was his number one priority, with his most important role as Papa to his grandchildren.
Bob was a singular force for good, lighting up a room, sharing his infectious humor, and always prepared with a booming Hooah.
It was truly a privilege to have known you.
Elson Strahan
If you wish to share a story or memory regarding a loved one email: Maywantee@aol.com
In Memory: Notable Individuals Lost to ALS
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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, has touched the lives of people from every walk of life. The individuals below left lasting legacies in sports, science, entertainment, public service, and advocacy. We honor their accomplishments and remember the courage they displayed while facing this devastating disease.
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Lou Gehrig (1903–1941) – New York Yankees Hall of Fame first baseman whose diagnosis gave the disease its common name, "Lou Gehrig's Disease."
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Catfish Hunter (1946–1999) – Hall of Fame Major League Baseball pitcher.
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Dwight Clark (1957–2018) – San Francisco 49ers wide receiver, forever remembered for "The Catch."
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Steve McMichael (1957–2025) – Chicago Bears Hall of Fame defensive tackle and Super Bowl champion.
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O.J. Brigance (1969–2025) – NFL linebacker and longtime Baltimore Ravens executive who became an inspiring advocate for ALS.
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Science & Education
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Stephen Hawking (1942–2018) – World-renowned theoretical physicist and cosmologist whose remarkable life demonstrated that extraordinary achievement is possible despite ALS.
Film & Television​
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Eric Dane (1972–2026) – Actor best known for portraying Dr. Mark Sloan ("McSteamy") on Grey's Anatomy.
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Stephen Hillenburg (1961–2018) – Creator of SpongeBob SquarePants.
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Sam Shepard (1943–2017) – Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, actor, and author.
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Kenneth Mitchell (1974–2024) – Actor known for Star Trek: Discovery and Captain Marvel.
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Richard Glatzer (1952–2015) – Acclaimed filmmaker and co-director of the Academy Award-winning film Still Alice.
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Music
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Roberta Flack (1937–2025) – Grammy Award-winning singer whose timeless recordings include "Killing Me Softly with His Song."
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Lead Belly (Huddie Ledbetter) (1888–1949) – Influential blues and folk musician whose music shaped generations of artists.
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Public Service & Advocacy
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Ady Barkan (1983–2023) – Attorney, healthcare advocate, and civil rights activist who inspired millions through his determination and advocacy while living with ALS.​
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Every Name Represents Thousands More
While only a small number of people with ALS become widely known, every person who faces this disease demonstrates extraordinary courage. Behind every diagnosis is a family, a circle of friends, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and a community forever changed.
The Blaine to Maine Benefit Ride is dedicated not only to these well-known individuals, but to every person and family whose life has been impacted by ALS. Their stories inspire our mission to raise awareness, support those living with the disease, and help fund the research that will one day make ALS a disease of the past.
Gone, but never forgotten.
