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06-15-05, 12:13 AM
Hit-and-run kills popular cyclist
Larry McDuff dies in Fairhope nearly two years after his wife also killed while riding bike
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
By DAVID FERRARA
Staff Reporter Mobile Register
http://www.al.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news/111874078883520.xml&coll=3&thispage=3
A hit-and-run driver killed bicyclist and environmental enthusiast Larry McDuff, 65, as he was riding in Fairhope on Monday, a little more than two years after the victim's wife, Ann, was fatally struck by a motorist while biking.
Larry McDuff was headed south on the western shoulder of Greeno Road, about 200 yards south of Volanta Avenue in Fairhope around 8:40 a.m., when he was hit by a black Jeep Cherokee, according to Fairhope Police Cpl. Craig Sawyer.
Investigators said they found a slightly damaged 1991 Cherokee parked in a wooded area near Young Street and Kirkman Lane around 3 p.m. After matching the vehicle to materials recovered from the crash site, police said they believe the driver of that SUV struck McDuff.
About four hours later, the owner of the Jeep came to Fairhope Police Headquarters with her 17-year-old son and investigators interviewed him about the collision, police Cpl. Craig Sawyer said in a news release.
After being questioned, the teenager was released to his mother's custody "in accordance with established juvenile procedures" pending a formal charge of felony leaving the scene of an accident, the release said.
The name of the youth, a Spanish Fort resident, was withheld because of his juvenile status, Sawyer said. The Baldwin County District Attorney's Office will evaluate the case to determine whether he will be prosecuted as a juvenile or adult, and whether there will be additional charges, he said.
Investigators believe that when McDuff was hit he was at least two feet from the closest traffic lane on Greeno, which is also known as U.S. 98.
Crews had been working on a pedestrian and bicycle trail on the side of the busy highway, but Sawyer said McDuff had been riding several feet from the construction site.
McDuff was wearing a long-sleeve, lime-green reflective shirt and a helmet when he was clipped by the vehicle, according to authorities. It was initially unclear whether McDuff was knocked from his bicycle or run over, Sawyer said.
A longtime nature lover, gospel musician and vegetarian, and now-retired salesman, Larry McDuff's cycling procedures changed dramatically when Ann McDuff was killed in 2003 while riding on Baldwin County 27 (now Alabama 181), friends and relatives said Monday.
He avoided two-lane roads like the rural thoroughfare on which his wife died. He bought the reflective shirt that he wore whenever he rode, no matter the hour.
McDuff promoted bicycle safety and awareness throughout Baldwin County. But he never stopped pedaling.
"He didn't let fear rule his life," his daughter, Margaret Lewis of Atlanta, said in a telephone interview.
Bicycle enthusiast Jim Kellen said he rides regularly with a group in Mobile.
He cautioned street bikers to travel with others because a crowd of bicyclists is more visible than a solo rider and others in the group can warn fellow riders of the surroundings. But Kellen also urged motorists to be aware of bicyclists on the road.
After Ann was killed, McDuff and his family said they forgave the driver, who was not charged. Lewis said she felt the same about her father's death.
"I know that this accident was a hit and run, but I feel the same way," Lewis said of Monday's incident. "My dad would want immediate forgiveness for whoever was involved."
Mark Johnson regularly played with McDuff in a bluegrass gospel band and knew him for about 25 years.
"He enjoyed playing that music, and he always made a joyful noise," Johnson said.
For the majority of his 30-year career, McDuff worked as a salesman in Mobile for IBM, according to his daughter. Upon retirement, he took on a less busy life.
On Monday, McDuff was headed about eight miles to the Bee Natural Farm just south of Fairhope, where he worked in exchange for food, according to Phil Strniste, the farm's owner.
Among many tasks, he would milk goats, feed chickens and pull weeds, Strniste said. For that, he'd receive 5 pounds of tomatoes, some squash, cucumbers, corn, bell peppers, apples and lettuce.
Strniste drove McDuff to the hospital the day his wife was killed. He remembered McDuff saying she "lived a happy life."
"Outside of Larry missing his wife, which he did dearly, I think he was the same way," Strniste said.
The couple met at a church camp when Ann was 16 and Larry was 20. The two fell in love and were married for 38 years. Throughout their marriage, the couple grew closer to each other and to nature, Lewis said.
They hiked the Appalachian Trail, they biked throughout Europe and lived a "minimalists'" lifestyle.
"I know how very much connected my dad was to my mom, even after her death," Lewis said. "He was still married to her in every sense of the word."
McDuff's active spirit enraptured many in the community where he lived. Christina Speck, a yoga instructor in Fairhope, taught the McDuffs for several years.
"He was one of the most wonderful people you can imagine," Speck said. "Such an inspiration to all of us how he continued living -- even after Ann died. He just didn't let life get him down, and always kept up her memory."
Larry McDuff is survived by his children, Wilson McDuff of Fairhope; Mallory McDuff of Asheville, N.C.; Lawrence McDuff of Birmingham; and Lewis of Atlanta; and seven grandchildren.
A funeral is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Daphne. Visitation was planned for 1:30 p.m. at the church.
Larry McDuff dies in Fairhope nearly two years after his wife also killed while riding bike
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
By DAVID FERRARA
Staff Reporter Mobile Register
http://www.al.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news/111874078883520.xml&coll=3&thispage=3
A hit-and-run driver killed bicyclist and environmental enthusiast Larry McDuff, 65, as he was riding in Fairhope on Monday, a little more than two years after the victim's wife, Ann, was fatally struck by a motorist while biking.
Larry McDuff was headed south on the western shoulder of Greeno Road, about 200 yards south of Volanta Avenue in Fairhope around 8:40 a.m., when he was hit by a black Jeep Cherokee, according to Fairhope Police Cpl. Craig Sawyer.
Investigators said they found a slightly damaged 1991 Cherokee parked in a wooded area near Young Street and Kirkman Lane around 3 p.m. After matching the vehicle to materials recovered from the crash site, police said they believe the driver of that SUV struck McDuff.
About four hours later, the owner of the Jeep came to Fairhope Police Headquarters with her 17-year-old son and investigators interviewed him about the collision, police Cpl. Craig Sawyer said in a news release.
After being questioned, the teenager was released to his mother's custody "in accordance with established juvenile procedures" pending a formal charge of felony leaving the scene of an accident, the release said.
The name of the youth, a Spanish Fort resident, was withheld because of his juvenile status, Sawyer said. The Baldwin County District Attorney's Office will evaluate the case to determine whether he will be prosecuted as a juvenile or adult, and whether there will be additional charges, he said.
Investigators believe that when McDuff was hit he was at least two feet from the closest traffic lane on Greeno, which is also known as U.S. 98.
Crews had been working on a pedestrian and bicycle trail on the side of the busy highway, but Sawyer said McDuff had been riding several feet from the construction site.
McDuff was wearing a long-sleeve, lime-green reflective shirt and a helmet when he was clipped by the vehicle, according to authorities. It was initially unclear whether McDuff was knocked from his bicycle or run over, Sawyer said.
A longtime nature lover, gospel musician and vegetarian, and now-retired salesman, Larry McDuff's cycling procedures changed dramatically when Ann McDuff was killed in 2003 while riding on Baldwin County 27 (now Alabama 181), friends and relatives said Monday.
He avoided two-lane roads like the rural thoroughfare on which his wife died. He bought the reflective shirt that he wore whenever he rode, no matter the hour.
McDuff promoted bicycle safety and awareness throughout Baldwin County. But he never stopped pedaling.
"He didn't let fear rule his life," his daughter, Margaret Lewis of Atlanta, said in a telephone interview.
Bicycle enthusiast Jim Kellen said he rides regularly with a group in Mobile.
He cautioned street bikers to travel with others because a crowd of bicyclists is more visible than a solo rider and others in the group can warn fellow riders of the surroundings. But Kellen also urged motorists to be aware of bicyclists on the road.
After Ann was killed, McDuff and his family said they forgave the driver, who was not charged. Lewis said she felt the same about her father's death.
"I know that this accident was a hit and run, but I feel the same way," Lewis said of Monday's incident. "My dad would want immediate forgiveness for whoever was involved."
Mark Johnson regularly played with McDuff in a bluegrass gospel band and knew him for about 25 years.
"He enjoyed playing that music, and he always made a joyful noise," Johnson said.
For the majority of his 30-year career, McDuff worked as a salesman in Mobile for IBM, according to his daughter. Upon retirement, he took on a less busy life.
On Monday, McDuff was headed about eight miles to the Bee Natural Farm just south of Fairhope, where he worked in exchange for food, according to Phil Strniste, the farm's owner.
Among many tasks, he would milk goats, feed chickens and pull weeds, Strniste said. For that, he'd receive 5 pounds of tomatoes, some squash, cucumbers, corn, bell peppers, apples and lettuce.
Strniste drove McDuff to the hospital the day his wife was killed. He remembered McDuff saying she "lived a happy life."
"Outside of Larry missing his wife, which he did dearly, I think he was the same way," Strniste said.
The couple met at a church camp when Ann was 16 and Larry was 20. The two fell in love and were married for 38 years. Throughout their marriage, the couple grew closer to each other and to nature, Lewis said.
They hiked the Appalachian Trail, they biked throughout Europe and lived a "minimalists'" lifestyle.
"I know how very much connected my dad was to my mom, even after her death," Lewis said. "He was still married to her in every sense of the word."
McDuff's active spirit enraptured many in the community where he lived. Christina Speck, a yoga instructor in Fairhope, taught the McDuffs for several years.
"He was one of the most wonderful people you can imagine," Speck said. "Such an inspiration to all of us how he continued living -- even after Ann died. He just didn't let life get him down, and always kept up her memory."
Larry McDuff is survived by his children, Wilson McDuff of Fairhope; Mallory McDuff of Asheville, N.C.; Lawrence McDuff of Birmingham; and Lewis of Atlanta; and seven grandchildren.
A funeral is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Daphne. Visitation was planned for 1:30 p.m. at the church.