BERNSTEIN FAMILY LOSES FRIEND AND RACE TEAM SPONSOR IN SEATTLE HELICOPTER CRASH We mourn the loss of our good friend Russ Tom, who died Sunday, Oct. 8, when the helicopter he was piloting crashed into Lake Tapps, Wash., just a few feet away from his lakeside home. Russ, former owner of Seattle’s biggest Harley dealership, Downtown Harley-Davidson, was a sponsor on our Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster and was a familiar face at the races. In the mid-1990s, Russ Tom met Kenny at the Downtown-Harley dealership in Seattle and became good friends. They shared a common interest in motorcycles and would often attend the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Russ and Kenny formed the annual Harley ride and Burnout Party held in conjunction with the NHRA event in Kent, Wash., and Brandon has continued the tradition. “I have ridden motorcycles for some years,” said Kenny. “We went into Downtown Harley-Davidson during one of our travels and we were very impressed with the operation there. We developed a friendship with Russ early on” said Kenny. “He and his father had built a very successful empire, and it wasn’t long before we put our heads together and with the help of the local Budweiser wholesaler, Olympic Eagle Distributing, we put together a cross promotion. We initiated a bike ride and Burn-Out party that was a lot of fun and accomplished business objectives for two of our sponsors. It was a popular cross-promotion for nearly a decade. “Russ was a great friend, sponsor, and member of the family and he will be missed dearly.” “Additionally, I think dad and I were both drawn to that competitive gene that Russ had,” said Brandon. “Russ was flat out all the time. He had the mentality and probably the talent, to be a race car driver if he had chosen to pursue that route. Russ and I talked daily. He was like a brother to me. I will miss him so much. He loved being involved with our team and hosted an annual gathering for all of us when the race circuit stopped in Seattle each year. “We are all very traumatized by the loss of Russ.” Russ and Brandon vacationed together when their schedules permitted. Russ’ girlfriend, E.J., was also onboard the helicopter. Neighbors were able to jump in and pull her to safety, and she is now recovering in the intensive care unit of a local hospital. She is expected to make a full recovery. Russ’ spirit will ride with Brandon, Kenny, and the entire team on each trip down the quarter-mile. Our thoughts and prayers are with Russ and E.J.’s families. There will be a memorial ride honoring Russ on Saturday, Oct. 14. Riders are invited to meet at Downtown Harley-Davidson at noon. and leave at 12:30 p.m. for an escorted ride to Puyallup Church of the Nazarene, 1026 7th Ave. SW, Puyallup, WA for a memorial service at 2 p.m. All are welcome to attend. The family asks that any donations be made to Seattle Christian
School, 18301 Military Road S., SeaTac 98188 or
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