Long time club member Don W. Muellhaupt passed away at 85 yrs old after a long illness. He is survived by his wife of 65 years Dianne. His daughter Darcy let us know and we ended up sending out an email to all members.
A passionate cyclist, Don began riding to stay in shape for work, but it soon evolved into a lifelong love. As a dedicated member of the Salem Bicycle Club, he briefly served on the board and frequently volunteered to support and aid fellow cyclists. His commitment led him to become a certified bicycle technician, enabling him to not only maintain his own bikes but also to provide better assistance to others. Don proudly built his own titanium bicycle and cherished the many hours spent riding through the countryside with his daughter, Darcy. His last metric century ride of 62 miles was completed in 2022, at the remarkable age of 83.
Don also had a deep passion for farming. Although it was not his sole occupation, he enlisted the help of his wife, son, and young daughter, Darcy. His farming journey began with cherries and later expanded to wheat. Ultimately, in the late 1960s, he became a Christmas tree farmer, planting the first trees on his parents' land in West Salem. This venture became a cherished family tradition, with numerous high school students joining to help harvest and sell the trees. Even after retiring, Don often reminisced about "stirring dirt," a phrase he affectionately used to describe farming.
Members remembers Don this way:
“He was one of those people that was there when there was a need. Willing to assist at whatever was asked and was a true member and an asset to the cycling community”
“Don was a respected member of the community, a good friend and was always a welcome site at the Red Lot and enjoyed our visits”
In honor of her father's legacy, Darcy plans to participate in the Monster Cookie Metric Century Ride in 2025. She currently resides in Eugene, Oregon, and is an active member of the Eugene Bike Club GEARS.
For those wishing to send flowers, they can send to Dianne Muellhaupt at 3411 Boone Road SE, Apt 109, Salem, Oregon 97317