 
Posted: June 17, 2012
Headed West ... in Memory of Curt "Webbie" Gran
By Ric Mellon, Executive Director
 On Saturday June 16th, 2012 the riding community lost Curt Gran to a
crash in North Dakota. The news of his passing affects all of us
deeply, and we all stand beside his wife Cindy at this time of deep
sorrow.
Curt Gran will be forever remembered worldwide for the contribution of
his wit and humor to all lucky enough to share time with him. There
are very few people who will ever achieve or surpass the amazing
legacy he created for motorcycling. His passion and abilities are
world renown in the long distance riding community along with the
contributions and excellence he brought to the motorcycle rights
movement. His capabilities in the field of information technology
moved the entire national rights organizations into the digital age –
single handedly. Curt funded, designed, and maintained the ABATE of
Wisconsin web presence from the inception to just recently, and was
always available at many of the state meetings.
We stand in silence in the shadow of his accomplishments, the love he
shared with his wife Cindy, and the passion for exploring North
America on two wheels. Curt is known worldwide for his abilities and
accomplishments among the Long Distance Riding community as well as
the many contributions he made in his professional life, working in the
field of medical technology.
I am reminded and will share with you a story that I hold dear to my
heart, regarding the first time I had the pleasure of meeting Curt many
years ago. While Curt and I talked about riding, and -- for those that
knew Curt, he had penchant for understating his accomplishments and
skills as a rider -- I asked him if he had been on any rides
lately. In a quiet nonchalance that was his style, he said he had been
riding a weekend that had recently passed. I asked him where he went,
and in a very short sentence he said, “Nowhere special, just a
ride.” I politely pried for further explanation, and he said in
Curt’s best “man of few words” style, “Well ... I headed west to the
Rockies, and then I hung a left to Santa Fe.” For those that shared a
friendship with Curt, you all understand that Curt looked at the roads
and byways of all of North America as we look at our own neighborhood.
Curt‘s many accomplishments are overshadowed by the Love he had for
Cindy and the friendship he shared with all of us.
(Members wishing to send condolences to
Curt's family may do so by sending a card to
The Gran Family, C/o ABATE of Wisconsin, 438 N
Water St, Black River Falls, WI 54615. All mail
addressed in that manner will be forwarded to
Cindy unopened.)
Ric Mellon, Executive Director
ABATE of Wisconsin, Inc
715-964-1316
exec@abatewis.org
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