In a departure from the long text history, here’s a little bonus in a pictorial of the early faces of ABATE.

  1. As a founder, I must place Jack Moss at the top of this list. He worked for Marty Petrofcinzski of Petro’s Jammin’ Supplies (PJS) and was the person who introduced me to the motorcycle rights movement.

In somewhat of a chronological order;

  • Bob Vetter, first ABATE rep for Wisconsin. Eyes and ears for Easyriders Magazine before ABATE became a membership organization;
  • Steve Valcq, president of Concerned Motorcyclists of Wisconsin(CMW), forerunner to ABATE of Wisconsin, 1972;
  • Bill Schertzl, CMW board member;
  • Brutus Stilb, CMW board member;
  • Tony “Pan” Sanfelipo and John “Musket” Barajas, Secretary and Vice-president, CMW, and co-founders of ABATE of Wisconsin membership organization, 1974;
  • Scott King, president, Zodiacs MC and mechanic at Barajas’ shop, Bazaar Cycles, North Fond du Lac;
  • Jingles, member Outlaws Milwaukee and key contact to clubs in Wisconsin joining ABATE;
  • Denny “Dortz” Doherty, top recruitment agent for ABATE of Wisconsin;
  • Randall “Turtle” Potter, first ABATE products director;
  • Dave Brunner, early board member and later, ABATE president in 1981;
  • Nick Campanelli, early board member and Committee for Democratic Police and Justice for Lacey member;
  • Dave Zien, president, Free Riders MC in Eau Claire, VP of Better Bikers Association, and early district rep for ABATE of Wisconsin;
  • Greg Uschan, early board member from Butler, Wisconsin;
  • Mark Birschbach, early board member and president of ABATE, 1980;
  • Bob “Wall” Feldner, early board member, videographer historian, and coordinator of Butler Biker Days;
  • Rich Grethe, owner Rich’s Pit Stop, Milwaukee, where CMW members had some meetings;
  • Richard “Chopper” Krause, early board member, later president of ABATE 1983 and a president of one of labor unions at Harley-Davidson Motor Company;
  • Tom “Troll” Lane, first safety coordinator and safety education director for ABATE of Wisconsin;
  • Glover Morgan, early liaison to Coalition of Black Motorcyclists, and early board member;
  • “Spacey Dave,” ABATE of Indiana and huge supporter/member of ABATE of Wisconsin;
  • Bob Hinze, leader of Zipper Band, ABATE party band in the early days, and volunteer in Fond du Lac chapter;
  • Keith Hansen, area rep for Racine/Kenosha in early years of ABATE;
  • Ken “Polack” Pezewski, Hartford area rep for many years and co-founder of 2X4 show at VA hospital, Milwaukee;
  • Robert “Hogman” Thompson, co-founder, 2×4 show at VA hospital, Milwaukee, and committee member for Vietnam era bike left at the “Wall” in Washington, D.C.
  • Greg “Crunch Pup” Botic, 1980 board member;
  • Richard “Small” Alsteen, Green Bay region delegate, 1980;
  • “Honda Bob” Arndt, 1980 board of director’s member;
  • Richard “Porker” Neth, early board member;
  • Mickey Neubauer, board member and committee volunteer member;
  • Dave Bradel, Fond du Lac committee and volunteer member;
  • “Loner,” early board member and Milwaukee committee member;
  • “Crazy Horse,” Hartford volunteer and activist member;
  • “Bubba” Stanton, early Eau Claire region rep;
  • Keith “Pluck” Pluckleman, early board member;
  • Gene “Geno” Sparks, early board member;

There are many others who I don’t have photos readily available, but worthy of mention;

Board members Wayne “Dutch” Eiger, Filthy Phil, Too Tall and Brent Mulholland.

ABATE Vice President, 1980, Jay LeClaire;

1980 Secretary Jim Brown;

1980 Treasurer, Dave Fields; Hi Cutting, 1983

Newsletter Editor, “Reverend Ike”

LaCrosse area rep, Robin “Booger” Hanson;

Fond du Lac region rep Mark “Brillo” Koehler;

There were countless others in regions across Wisconsin who helped in region events, and the women, wives and companions, of early officers who helped with compiling the newsletter lists, mailings, cookouts, blood drives, food drives and more. We all owe a deep debt of gratitude to these early pioneers who help mold ABATE into a world-class leader in the motorcycle rights movement.

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