Alaskan Has Died

[Stefan Mikes]

One of the most prolific members of these Fora, Richard M. Friedman known as @Alaskan sadly passed away on February 26th, 2023.

Rest In Peace, Richard. You were my mentor, a voice of reason, and a good friend even if we differed often. Climb up the iceberg with your bike again, wherever you are now...

Richard Max Friedman
10-26-50

2-26-23
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A rare situation in which we can learn of the death of a renowned Forum member from other social media...

 

[Art Deco]

Thanks for posting this @Stefan Mikes . One of our best; and an inspiration to us all. For new members who don't know of him there is this thread.

Using Ebikes As Tools For Meeting a Health Challenge

Those who know me are aware that I have been using my ebikes to rebuild my heart and general fitness after having had a major heart attack three years ago. It has worked incredibly well. However this winter I got a cancer diagnosis, ironically in one of my legs, the engines of my heart's...

electricbikereview.com

 

[rajron]

R.I.P. Alaskan

 

[Saratoga Dave]

That’s so sad, I‘m so sorry to hear this. We talked on the phone a couple of weeks ago and it was clear this was coming, but he said more than once he’d had a great run and a great family around him. A real loss.

 

[sc00ter]

R.I.P.=Ride In Peace. Gonna be missed.

 

[BillP]

So sad... truly an asset to this forum, he will be missed. R.I.P.

 

[Mulezen]

Sorry to hear this…from his major heart attack at sea to his cancer struggles his spirit remained unbroken. Even as his diagnoses piled up he never quit cycling as exemplified by his evolution in bicycle choices running into ever more challenges.
He was one of the first to comment to my questions…and responsible for big $ mods on my Trek…because he just made sense.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Sad news indeed. His absence here certainly won’t go unnoticed as he was such a helpful and kind soul. Condolences go out to his loved ones. May he rest in peace.

 

[AlanDB]

He will definitely be missed. I learned a lot from his posts.

 

[dodgeman]

Sad to see that, thanks for posting Stefan. Things like this always remind me how short life is and every day is precious.

 

[Avg_Joe]

Terribly sorry to learn of this. While I didn't interact with him directly, his posts and presence were always very appreciated. Rest easy @Alaskan and thank you.

 

[theloafer]

sad to hear.. he will be missed greatly R.I.P Alaskan

 

[mschwett]

oh no.

he was the type of person you could tell from a few sentences was an extraordinary, genuine, and positive human being. he will be missed.

ride in peace!

 

[BlackHand]

Alaskan was passionate about his pursuits in life and his posts here were very helpful to me when I was deciding on my first ebike. I'll miss him and his contributions. Had hoped to ride with him someday.

 

[mschwett]

…Had hoped to ride with him someday.

same. he had quite a fleet of bikes available to share, and wasn’t all that far. missed opportunity.

 

[Deacon Blues]

Very sad news. Thanks for posting, Stephan.

 

[RabH]

Very sad news, I was just thinking I hadn't seen him for quite some time and was thinking he might be having a tough time again! He was a real inspiration for a lot of us here and will be very much missed, condolences to his family and friends. Rest in peace, Richard.

Thanks for letting us know, Stefan.

 

[Gionnirocket]

Got back from a ride today, my first in more than a week and it felt good to get out and think about absolutely nothing for a short while...Then I saw this post and I really felt fortunate to be able to enjoy life's little pleasures.
I had gotten the impression from Alaskan's last few posts that though sad, he had made his peace and I don't think any of us can ask for anything more. As I went to prepare for a shower and turned on the radio, don't fear the reaper came on and it just seemed so appropriate for my current state of mind.

Gods speed Alaskan... and more cowbell for evermore.

 

[arcom]

You.re a good main, Stefan Mikes. Thanks for posting.

 

[ruffruff]

Lost a good one. Sad.