Rosskko. peaked my interest in K1100s when I met him for the first time on the Northern Tablelands Run last November. A great guy who will be greatly missed.

I'm on the road with my new (to me) K1100 and unfortunately won't be able to make the funeral.... I'm sure he would understand.

GroverK wrote:While the engine accelerates,
let us ride as friends and mates

We certainly like our K bikes and have a bond with them. However, the most interesting part of riding is certainly to meet and enjoy new Kompany.
You, the Aussie Krew, seem to have mastered this skill and Rosskko had found what I believe was important for him: trusted mates with common interest!
Rosskko was the first member of this forum to get the VIP status. This has nothing to do with the amount of posts but solely because he was one of these guys going out of its way to help a mate in need.
We are toasting his life across the world.
He will never be forgotten.

Bert.

Sounds like a great mate and one right in the thick of many things - his family, friends, his bikes and biking, this forum and your journeys together.

Never met him but would definitely enjoyed it. I'm sure you all have fond memories.

Great pictures

My sympathies to your loss. 

Guy

Rosskko's Funeral Notice in the Sydney Morning Herald

thanks for the link gaz

just a thought that came to mind today .

Knowing that many members will be forwarding their own individual condolences, which I know Rosskko's family will be most welcoming of . 
I thought it might be nice to offer a card on behalf of the forum.
If there is support for this , I can approach my work on monday ( Australian time ) for something to be printed  on tuesday for the Krew to take down to the Service.

 
                  


                                                  Inside section

Additional names can be photoshopped onto the sKroll.


I have had a brief chat with Sandra this evening , she is holding strong at present with the support of her family , along with the many well wishes from Friends.
As mentioned by Klompy earlier , the Krew are welcome to join at Rosskko's house no later than 10am, ready to escort Rosskko and his family to the service at Castlebrook Memorial Park , Windsor Rd , Rouse Hill. Service details as per the link provided by Gaz.
Smurfette ( Rosskko's K1100RS ) ridden by the krew will be amongst the group as they escort to the chapel, then moving on to the Mean Fiddler to share in more memories .
Hoping this helps for those making their way down on Wednesday.

Hello guys;
I have been asked to say a few things on Wednesday on behalf of the Forum and would like to give the opportunity for those who cannot make it to pass on some anecdotes I can draw from...those of you who know me can attest that I do love the sound of my own voice but I have a few minutes to represent you and allow family and friends an insight into the fun and laughs RossKKo brought with him at every opportunity.
I am actually finding this time to be a very emotional one, like I have lost a brother, and would like to celebrate the life and the times we all shared and I was not at all the events.
If you do not want to share it here please feel free to send to ozklomp59@gmail.com

Thanks again guys.

Your KBRO Klompy

good idea klompy ..
good luck mate   there are honestly just too many off the wall things with our old friend that I am pleased to have experienced ...

smithy called me today about heading south for the funeral (unfortunately  I have just too many expectations placed upon me this coming week ) ....by the end of our conversation I was in tears.

@charlie99 wrote: ....by the end of our conversation I was in tears.

You're not the only one Charlie mate, on Thursday evening after I read the sad news, I sat and watched a 30 minute video of my ride with Rosskko to the PITS (and beyond) with a large whisky in hand and had tears rolling down my cheeks. Memories of a great ride and a great bloke that I knew for too short a time.

What a bloody softy!

@Born Again Eccentric wrote:What a bloody softy!

No. Not at all.

@Dai wrote:

@Born Again Eccentric wrote:What a bloody softy!

No. Not at all.

Seconded Dai ! Paul, you're anything but mate as well I know from shared experiences!

This was the first post I read after returning from a visit to Germany on the outfit and it's with moist eyes that I'm writing this.
There's nothing I can add to all the above, but I must add my sadness at losing a friend although we have never met in person.
RIP, old mate,
Paul.

Vale Rossco, You have kept me on my toes for years with your ability to fit a quick quip into almost any sentence. I may not have got it straight away but when I did twig, you left a smile on my dial.
We met at Gaz80's last Xmas, would have been good if that had happened years ago. Mother Nature has called you, and I will miss you. To your family I say commiserations, you knew him better than me. I wish you all wellbeing and the strength to cope and carry on.

RossKKo on the way to the Far Kairn Rally 2013 ,to join the Krew for celebrations of 30years of the K.


Crossing the Seacliff Bridge at Stanwell Park .

I shall be coming down for the service on Tuesday evening. I will stay in the city and catch the train on Wednesday and then grab a cab from there.  I've given myself heaps of time before I  have to leave for the airport.  

When Paul arrived last month I briefly had a chat with RossKo but Paul was the man of the moment. They were on a schedule and alas time was short. I still have the text messages from RossKo saved in my phone.

First time back on the forum forever and wtf I am deeply distressed by this news it has honestly f****d my day.
God bless you rossko you where a really really top bloke and will be truly missed

Yes Halo that how we feel alright.

Many thanks to the Krew . during their monday Loffee in the Hunter, plans were konived to ensure travel arrangements for tomorrow were in order. 
Provided the rain arrives on time , we should be OK .

What time have you booked the rain Grover...RossKKO always loved to ride in the rain...only one thing he liked more is to know we rode in the rain.....

I'm sure Rosskkko has it all in hand already . take care everyone .

Good onya guys Rossko would be proud of you .
Sorry I can't be there.

You will be there Halo along with many others , your name has been added to the condolence card .

What time have you booked the rain Grover...RossKKO always loved to ride in the rain...only one thing he liked more is to know we rode in the rain.....

Made me remember one of RossKKo's famous ride report from Far can rally 2013




After a pleasant ride up Macquarie Pass and a bit of freeway we hit rain. Yes it is heavy, but I can see just up ahead it has stopped. Keeep riding. Oh, it has started again. Heavier. But I can see up ahead it is fine. Keep riding. It stops. Then it starts again and my balls are getting wet so I stopped to don the gear. Wind is 30 knots. Rain is 4 gallons/sq m. Rain suit has velcro on wrists and ankles and they are all stuck together. Fingers are numb in my summer gloves (it was spring when we left Wazz'zsz place) and fumbling with damn fn stupid velcro and jacket and boots and the silly back pack I have on and then ride 5kms and it is fine and sunny and do we stop to take the gear off and then it rains again so we leave the gear on.
Then it stops.
Then it rains.
Then it stops.
Then we pull in to the wind generated elektrikery things for a photo op for Ed and it starts to hail.
It was not ahiling the mighty K, but the sky was spitting lumps of ice at us.
Have fun Ed.
Gone.


Only RossKKo could make riding in rain and hail fun. Maybe you had to be there, I am glad I was.

GroverK wrote:Many thanks to the Krew . during their monday Loffee in the Hunter, plans were konived to ensure travel arrangements for tomorrow were in order. 
Provided the rain arrives on time , we should be OK .

My regards to the Krew as many gather tomorrow to honour Rosskko.

With you all in spirit as I can't be there in person.

Ride well and safely, Krew.

Bill

I'll be thinking of Rosskko tomorrow. Sorry I can't be there with everyone to see him off. I only knew him for a short while but it was easy to see he was a special guy.

@Waz wrote:RossKKo's famous ride report from Far can rally 2013

After a pleasant ride up Macquarie Pass and a bit of freeway we hit rain. Yes it is heavy, but I can see just up ahead it has stopped. Keeep riding. Oh, it has started again. Heavier. But I can see up ahead it is fine. Keep riding. It stops. Then it starts again and my balls are getting wet so I stopped to don the gear. Wind is 30 knots. Rain is 4 gallons/sq m. Rain suit has velcro on wrists and ankles and they are all stuck together. Fingers are numb in my summer gloves (it was spring when we left Wazz'zsz place) and fumbling with damn fn stupid velcro and jacket and boots and the silly back pack I have on and then ride 5kms and it is fine and sunny and do we stop to take the gear off and then it rains again so we leave the gear on.
Then it stops.
Then it rains.
Then it stops.
Then we pull in to the wind generated elektrikery things for a photo op for Ed and it starts to hail.
It was not ahiling the mighty K, but the sky was spitting lumps of ice at us.
Have fun Ed.
Gone.

If I can hold the emotions in long enough tomorrow, that will be my last words.....Thanks Waz.

Hey Waz , what happened to his Pink blanky?

RossKKo donated to Al58's  sidecar for the dogs

GroverK wrote:You will be there Halo along with many others , your name has been added to the condolence card .

Thankyou

Unfortunately I cant make it I had a fairly important medical appointment today so it put the skids on any chance of getting there.
Ed would you please add my name to the card. I will be with you all in spirit you can be assured of that.

Must be something about the rain, when I first rode with RossKo it rained so hard we got stranded for 2 days.

As I head north for the border today I'll have Rosskko and today's gathering in mind. My condolences to his family and his close mates too.

I'm planning on annoying the neighbours and waking the kids - I'll be going out for a ride at 01:15 (British Summer Time) on 1 June, the same time that Rosskko is due to leave on his final ride and will be stopping some where quiet, probably around Cheddar Gorge, for some quiet contemplation at 02:00 (11:00 Australian Eastern Standard Time). Sorry that I can't be at Castle Hill instead.

Forecast is 60% chance of rain - bring it on.

My thoughts with the Krew near and far. Ride safe.

For once we have bugger all rain here and none forecast. So much for the green Emerald Isle.

Looks like Rosskko has stolen it all for once. I have so many memories of riding in the rain and have left posts here about how planted the K feels in torrential rain and wet on the BT45s. In fact it was only when I eventually got a K that I understood how one could really enjoy a motorcycle in the rain and pushing it on.

Next time its raining the heavy stuff my mind will turn to Rosskko.

1am last night I sat outside on the patio looking north west as the sun didn't quite go away on its short night. Its a good place to watch the ISS go by. K parked behind me, it sort of lives there ready to go, thinking of how sad a loss it was, mind wandering over the forum and all the things that come and go and make life what it is. Peace and solitude and a K.

Tonight I will do likewise.

It is now just after 4am . been awake since 2.30 , can't seem to get back to sleep . Rain on the tin roof keeping me awake. thinking of........
Alarm is set for 5am , Rickmiester is picking me up on the yellow Peril at 6.30. See you soon .

Ed that's the makings of a long day.

You travelling pillion had me thinking of Bill [Indian036] travelling with me as we visited Newgrange and SallyGap and had a long day. SallyGap was the one place I wanted to take Rosskko and Sandra, for its scenery and sheer wild feeling.

Not easy being awake at this time but now it makes me realise another lovely thing about the forum. Nights I don't sleep there's always someone about from far away places!

Yes Olaf , the boys have arranged a "yellow" uber taxi for me . , whilst waiting I've printed up some stuff for them to keep.
 Kondolence card is now ready. It will be a long day for all . hope they all travel safe. Our thoughts are with those who are unable to attend .
I am very grateful for the effort put in by the Krew in getting me there , as I am currently K-less.

Rain blew through overnight and 01:15BST/10:15AEST greeted me reasonably dry and blustery.

I rode down to Cheddar Gorge, as planned, at a solemn cortege like speed of 15-20mph - empty roads and the darkest of nights made the ride extremely poignant, a feeling exaggerated by my complete lack of speed. Arrived at Cheddar just before 02:00BST/11:00AEST and pulled off the road into a quiet lay-by.

Stopping the bike, I was enveloped by the velvety, warm, blackness of the night and spent sometime in quiet reflection and remembrance of Rosskko. My thoughts were totally with the family and the Krew and I felt an immense sense of peace. I stood alone with my thoughts the darkness, with just the soft noise of the wind in the trees and bushes for company, until a barn owl saw fit to join me in the trees above, hooting mournfully.



10,000 miles away, yet I felt incredibly close. RIP Rosskko mate.

My return home, at considerably higher speeds on the deserted, twisty damp tarmac was exhilarating as I let the K do the eulogy.

I hope all went well with proceedings and I am sure that the Krew will have given Rosskko a fitting and probably emotional send off. 

Ride safe.

Today went very well...although not without surprises such as the M1 blocked so the Newwy Krew just made it.
and Of course as we were about to mount up it started to rain...but only long enough for us to dress up and then not another drop. The 10 K bikes including a Triumph outfit led by Smurfette and yours truly rode the final 16 kilometres at a very sedate speed...probs the slowest any of us had ever gone...2 a breast with a huge following of cars. The ceremony went very well with people spilled outside with standing room only.
the wake was at the "Fiddler" down the road where we got to meet RossKKo's family and friends and there is now good reason RossKKo was always cheerful...his people are lovely and many tales were told over beers and whisky...There were folk asking to have photos in front of our bikes and it was very heart warming the entire exchange.

marvellous to hear klompy  thanks for keeping us in the loop .   sniffle

best wishes to all

Thanks Klompy,  Planning to sip a nip of Honey Wild Turkey soon as a salute. It sits in the shed awaiting.

Klompy

That was a lovely post and exactly what was needed. Its not many that can pass and find that their loss is being felt right around the continents.

The K bikes parked up just tell us that some things have not and will not change.

I do recall Rossko asking advice about Megan's bike. Would be truly lovely if Megan was to take over one of his K bikes and join an occasional Krew outing.!

For many of us here who enjoy the pleasure of a whiskey it is a time to sit and remember those who have been and remain important to us. We are occasionally given to consuming a few measures and more than a few when its time to talk of those who have made a bigger impact on us.

Thanks Klompy I was thinking of the gathering  most of the day. 
Words fail me thanks

@92KK 84WW Olaf wrote:Klompy

That was a lovely post and exactly what was needed. Its not many that can pass and find that their loss is being felt right around the continents.

The K bikes parked up just tell us that some things have not and will not change.

I do recall Rossko asking advice about Megan's bike. Would be truly lovely if Megan was to take over one of his K bikes and join an occasional Krew outing.!

For many of us here who enjoy the pleasure of a whiskey it is a time to sit and remember those who have been and remain important to us. We are occasionally given to consuming a few measures and more than a few when its time to talk of those who have made a bigger impact on us.

Really well said Olaf

I am sure Ed has some much better pics...to share...great effort mate, pillion passenger and unusual bike to ride after your encounter only weeks ago with the "blue bike" destroyer. Did well pal.

My gratitude goes to everyone involved in my konveyance to RossKKo's service . The krew have done true justice to farewell Rosskko, a last ride which Sandra was very grateful to the Krew . The ride was well represented , and not to leave Smurfette from the proceedings.
My thoughts constantly as I rode Smurfette alongside Klompy , were of Rosskko and how he would most likely have been riding, and the rides he attended with the krew.
As Klompy mentioned , the service was well attended with about 200-300 people, and carried out with the utmost of dignity, along with a well presented escort from Rosskkos family house to the chapel . 
Before heading of from the house , I set up a camera in the hearse to record our travels , now isn't that something Rosskko would have wanted , he always had a camera sticking out somewhere , which is why we have so many great pictorial ride reports . So when I get the chance Video will follow of our escort.

Leaving the Rosskko kastle

The Krew gather in readiness .







Smurfette leading Rosskko and his family from the house.



Smurfette slowly moves to the front to join the Krew for their escort.


a slow ride off .



arriving at the Castlebrook Memorial Park.



we briefly pause in respect.



Smurfette sitting proudly outside the chapel with autumn leaves falling in late May. 
(Quote Rossko) I've got a day in May so I will have to work around that.

standing room only during the service, a man admired by many.


I was overcome with smiles as the pictorial slideshow was presented , Rosskko certainly had a vigor for life , his family and friends played a massive part in his life as has  this Forum . We are truly blessed to have had Rosskko as a part of our lives . He has made a unique impression on us all. There was a mention by the celebrant following the slideshow , if it may be possible for the pics to be uploaded to the forum in memory of Rosskko . Hopefully with Klompys help , this can be organised .
Klompy please let us know if you need any assistance , either yourself or Sandra and the family , I'm sure there will be no shortage of volunteers . skones and loffee , and we are there.

Arriving at the Mean Fiddler.






The Table of the Round Knights ..........     or Knights of the round table , anyway a top group of people offering their respects.
The thoughts of the forum as a whole were shared with Rosskko's family.



Gaz presenting Sandra ( Mrs Rosskko ) with a special momento from Bert(CF) and the forum family.



The other half of the Knights with Mr Rosskko snr.

@92KK 84WW Olaf wrote:Klompy

That was a lovely post and exactly what was needed. Its not many that can pass and find that their loss is being felt right around the continents.

The K bikes parked up just tell us that some things have not and will not change.

I do recall Rossko asking advice about Megan's bike. Would be truly lovely if Megan was to take over one of his K bikes and join an occasional Krew outing.!

For many of us here who enjoy the pleasure of a whiskey it is a time to sit and remember those who have been and remain important to us. We are occasionally given to consuming a few measures and more than a few when its time to talk of those who have made a bigger impact on us.

Here here Olaf. That post prompted me to take a fine cut glass with a splash of my favourite malt out into the sunset and watch the same fireball that earlier passed over proceedings down under and drink a toast to friends passed on and present and contemplate the beauty of friendship that can touch your life.

@Klompy: sincere thanks for keeping us involved and updated. Well done Krew!

Thanks to all who were able to get there for representing those of us who couldn't be there. 
A fitting tribute. 

Bill

Indeed it was a moving time with so many stories being told to celebrate a very full life in such a short time. As we sat down at the pub afterwards Ed mentioned that it looked like Knights of the round table. We were another type of family and it reminded me that Sandra had said that RossKKo passed away in the presence of 13 members of his family.
Gaz took the opportunity to present Sandra with a framed print of RossKKo's famous trademark avatar and she did mention that RossKKo has taken the much loved and worn black forum t shirt with him.
Klompy did so well in saying a few words at the the funeral.....much appreciated.
No doubt RossKKo is smiling down on us right now, whilst organizing God to have a bigger shed so that more bikes could be parked..K bikes that is.

Yes, Indian036, My same thoughts. Thanks Klompy for the feedback and for representation of those in other parts of the world.

Couple of photos from yesterday. Didn't want to get in anyone's face but thought a pic or two might be appropriate for people here.

GroverK wrote:
Before heading of from the house , I set up a camera in the hearse to record our travels , now isn't that something Rosskko would have wanted , he always had a camera sticking out somewhere , which is why we have so many great pictorial ride reports . So when I get the chance Video will follow of our escort.

sorry to hold you kind folk up , I'm just getting some guidance as to adding some good music to the video . Will be with you shortly .