This year, we are riding in memory of Ron Wenger, an avid cyclist, loving father and “Pipa”, and beloved community member. He was one of the most joyful, optimistic, and wonderful humans, a friend to all he met!

Ron’s family writes, “Every year, Ron had great joy in trying to beat his Iron Horse race time from the year prior. Sometimes he succeeded, other times he had to switch his bike partway through the ride; regardless of the time outcome, he always entered Silverton with a smile on his face and his family and friends, including his wife, children, and grandchildren, cheering him on. This year, we hope to spread some of that joy that Ron inspired in every year past as we make our way from Durango to Silverton, whether on the bike or in the cheering section at the finish line.

Ron found immense joy in so many things, notably in creating friendships while helping his patients in the clinic as a physical therapist, rolling in the wildflowers of our local San Juan mountains, and especially spending time with his family. Left in the wake of his sudden and unexpected loss in August 2023, our family has been fortunate to be guided by others in the difficult, ongoing, and often heartbreaking process of grief. Ron’s grandson, Silas (age 9), put it best in the early days after Ron’s death when he said, “When I think of Pipa, it makes me so so sad and so so happy all at the same time.” For so many of us who have been touched by the swirl of emotions of grief in our lives, this description makes so much sense.

Please join us in supporting the Grief Center of SW Colorado, who helps to guide so many people in our community as they grieve their loved ones, as we Ride for Ron this year. In addition, with your donation of any amount, you may choose to have one of our riders ride in honor of your loved one all the way to Silverton with a special placard with their name on it if you leave their name in the comments.

A note from The Grief Center of SW CO,

In the past month The Grief Center of SW CO has have had more referrals than in the history of the organization -- and we are now 15 years old! Our therapists are all at capacity, and we are in need of hiring additional staff. Some of the programs this ride supports:

- clients who come to our Grief Center of SW CO offices for individual grief counseling

- school-based counseling in Durango, Silverton, Mancos, Cortez, and Ignacio

- support for organizations and their employees after a death

- support groups for those experience stigmatized deaths such as suicide, substance-related loss and racialized grief

- summer children's grief camps

- programs for families readjusting after the loss of a significant family member

- professional trainings in grief and traumatic grief for mental and behavioral health providers

- professional education and supervision for counselors in training

We deeply thank you and our amazing riders for their support,

Judy Austin, Executive Director

Wendy Barney, Board Chair

Rhonda Ledford, Board Treasurer

Diana Montoya-Scott, Board Secretary

DeAnne Slaughter, Board Member

www.griefcenterswco.org

Ironhorse Remembrance Ride 2024

By The Grief Center of Southwest Colorado

Ironhorse Remembrance Ride 2024

In memory of Ron Wenger and those we have loved and lost