Words, Smiles, Laughter and the Battered Baby Seal Face.
With great sadness I have to report the passing of Jack Riepe, writer, speaker, and evangelist of BMW K bikes. Especially the K75 models. His humor was evident in the monthly BMW Owners News column he wrote, in his books, his talks and presentations, and in any conversation you might have with him.
The motorcycle world lost someone special.
In the above photo Jack was demonstrating to me his Battered Baby Seal look. A signature look for him akin to Zoolander’s Blue Steel. He insisted any woman he was interested in melted from that gaze. Seeing them flock around him at the BMW Rally in Bloomsburg I kind of believed him.
Author and Writer
Jack asked me if I would look at a draft of “Conversations with a Motorcycle” which arrived in my mailbox a few days after agreeing to read it with the stipulation that my wife Kim, the real writer and editor in our house could read it too.
To say it was funny doesn’t do the book or Jack’s skill with words justice. But I have a strong memory of that manuscript burned in my brain. I was walking down the hallway and I could hear my wife howling with laughter in the bathroom. She was reading the manuscript.
Kim isn’t interested in riding, BMWs, K-Bikes, or anything at all related to motorcycles. But Jack’s storytelling ascended far beyond such mundane topics to embrace a sensitivity to time, place, people, and emotion that I don’t find often. Edward Abbey’s “The Fool’s Progress” comes closest to Jack’s voice and sensitivities for me. It’s one of my favorite books.
I rode with that huge manuscript for a week, reading it at cafe stops before calling Jack on the phone to share my thoughts.
The Perfect Riding Novel
When Jack sent the first published edition it came along on my rides. A perfect companion that always left me smiling.
We talked on the phone periodically but never crossed paths again. Plans were made to meet at rallies and diners but neither of us seemed able to make it happen. Our lives were moving in different directions.
But what was wonderful about Jack was his unbridled enthusiasm for plans and ideas. Even as his health declined he was telling me about the motorcycle he wanted to buy and when he planned to ride it across America to put his feet in the Pacific Ocean.
I’m sure that’s what he’s doing now. Jack Riepe’s energy persists in a world that needs more laughter.
His gift to all of us.
I’m sorry to read about Big Jack, he was a true gift to everyone who loves to laugh!
He was. He leaves a big hole in the lighter side of the BMW culture!
I’m so sorry for your loss Steve.
Blessings.
Thanks! If you have a chance to put your hands on his book it’s worth reading.
Yes, he was a great humorist. Bloomsburg Rally. Lynne and I were there. What year was that?
I think it was 2011. I remember that the temperature was over 100F the day I rode there.
I can tell, Jack is full of Life, the way you put the words together Steve. Peace be with all involved with Jack’s Life Arts.
Thanks Mike. Jack was one of a kind.
Awww…Jack Riepe! His humor, his personality, his actual physical size – all 3 a BIG part of the golden age of motorcycling that many of us have lived through now. Gosh we miss him already.
He did live in the Golden Age of motorcycling. And his writing reflected those experiences.
He will truly be missed. I had also met him at the Bloomsburg rally in 2011. I think that was the first time I met you. Running around with your camera.
We did meet for the first time there at the rally. There’s a picture of us in this post:
https://scooterinthesticks.com/2011/09/heat-courage-and-jack-riepe-show/
We definitely lost a superbly funny and talented writer and friend, Steve. R.I.P. Jack Riepe.
He was one of a kind Dom. And I think he had a lot of stories left to tell.
Sorry to hear about your friend.
Thanks.
Always a bright spot in the BMW Motorcyle Owners of Americas monthly magazine. Sad news indeed, Jack will be missed and reverentially remembered.
I do hope his memory lives on in the BMW community. He was a unique voice among the crowd.
We K75 riders will miss Jack Riepe and his good-humored but hopeless attempt to restore the glory of our machines. RIP.
Jack was one of a kind. His writing, his storytelling, and as you point out his hopeless attempts to restore the glory of the K bikes will burn him into the memories of many riders.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on him. And sorry for my tardy reply.
He sure did love the K bikes…