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07-02-08, 09:20 AM
This is extremely sad. Sounds like he was a great guy:
Cyclist killed on U.S. 290 remembered as great coach
Driver told officers she didn't see cyclist, a Travis sheriff's department employee and Air Force veteran.
By Regina Dennis
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Relatives and friends of an avid cyclist and Travis County sheriff's department employee who was killed when he was hit by a minivannear Fredericksburg on Saturday remember him as a caring and loving man who lived life to the fullest.
Michael Argall, 45, was riding east in the right lane of U.S. 290 at 8:13 a.m. when he was struck from behind by a 2005 Honda Odyssey that was being driven by a Pflugerville resident, the Texas Department of Public Safety said. The driver said she did not see Argall because the rising sun was in her eyes, DPS officials said. No charges have been filed, and the incident is still under investigation, officials said.
Cecilia Turrin, Argall's girlfriend and a fellow cyclist, said Argall treasured life and was a dedicated father to his three children, Sydney, 21, Nathan, 18, and Daniel, 15.
"He did so much for me and for a lot of people within the community," Turrin said. "He cared about people; he truly did. He would just give people his shoes, his shirt, his watch — he's done that before."
Turrin said Argall was active with the homeless ministry at Gateway Community Church; the two of them met at a church function. The couple co-taught a triathlon training course at Rogue Training Systems, an Austin athletic training center and apparel store, and had been discussing marriage, she said.
Argall served in the Air Force for eight years and was in the active reserves until 2002. He joined the sheriff's department in 1988 and worked in the corrections bureau as a life safety officer, responsible for fire planning and safety conditions for inmates and employees at the jail.
Officer Steven Wentrcek, Argall's supervisor and close friend for 14 years, said Argall would place Post-it notes with Bible verses all around his desk.
"Looking back, Michael was preparing me for this day," he said. "Even today as I sit in our office, I can see his computer with the Post-it notes: 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight.' "
Wentrcek said Argall won two silver medals for cycling at the Texas Police Games in June.
Kris Argall said her brother hardly ever turned away anyone who needed his help. She said he loved teaching running and cycling courses and was a natural coach.
"Most of those bikers are novices, but he would take the time and go through every step with them," Argall said. "There was one girl there who kept falling off the bike, and he would ride beside her and literally catch her every time."
Jessica Luther, who joined Michael Argall's Iron Chicks class last year to train for the Danskin triathlon, said he went out of his way to make the class feel comfortable: preparing detailed maps of cycling training courses; providing the students with water, fruit and jelly bean snacks; and helping the women with bike maintenance.
"He really took the time to get to know all of us and make sure we were comfortable in completing the triathlon," Luther said. "I loved that class from the very beginning, and it was because of the level of care he put into the class."
Rogue Training Systems is planning a memorial bike ride to honor Argall on July 20 at Lake Pflugerville. The center is also collecting donations to set up a scholarship fund for Argall's children.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Gateway Community Church, 7104 McNeil Drive.
Cyclist killed on U.S. 290 remembered as great coach
Driver told officers she didn't see cyclist, a Travis sheriff's department employee and Air Force veteran.
By Regina Dennis
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Relatives and friends of an avid cyclist and Travis County sheriff's department employee who was killed when he was hit by a minivannear Fredericksburg on Saturday remember him as a caring and loving man who lived life to the fullest.
Michael Argall, 45, was riding east in the right lane of U.S. 290 at 8:13 a.m. when he was struck from behind by a 2005 Honda Odyssey that was being driven by a Pflugerville resident, the Texas Department of Public Safety said. The driver said she did not see Argall because the rising sun was in her eyes, DPS officials said. No charges have been filed, and the incident is still under investigation, officials said.
Cecilia Turrin, Argall's girlfriend and a fellow cyclist, said Argall treasured life and was a dedicated father to his three children, Sydney, 21, Nathan, 18, and Daniel, 15.
"He did so much for me and for a lot of people within the community," Turrin said. "He cared about people; he truly did. He would just give people his shoes, his shirt, his watch — he's done that before."
Turrin said Argall was active with the homeless ministry at Gateway Community Church; the two of them met at a church function. The couple co-taught a triathlon training course at Rogue Training Systems, an Austin athletic training center and apparel store, and had been discussing marriage, she said.
Argall served in the Air Force for eight years and was in the active reserves until 2002. He joined the sheriff's department in 1988 and worked in the corrections bureau as a life safety officer, responsible for fire planning and safety conditions for inmates and employees at the jail.
Officer Steven Wentrcek, Argall's supervisor and close friend for 14 years, said Argall would place Post-it notes with Bible verses all around his desk.
"Looking back, Michael was preparing me for this day," he said. "Even today as I sit in our office, I can see his computer with the Post-it notes: 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight.' "
Wentrcek said Argall won two silver medals for cycling at the Texas Police Games in June.
Kris Argall said her brother hardly ever turned away anyone who needed his help. She said he loved teaching running and cycling courses and was a natural coach.
"Most of those bikers are novices, but he would take the time and go through every step with them," Argall said. "There was one girl there who kept falling off the bike, and he would ride beside her and literally catch her every time."
Jessica Luther, who joined Michael Argall's Iron Chicks class last year to train for the Danskin triathlon, said he went out of his way to make the class feel comfortable: preparing detailed maps of cycling training courses; providing the students with water, fruit and jelly bean snacks; and helping the women with bike maintenance.
"He really took the time to get to know all of us and make sure we were comfortable in completing the triathlon," Luther said. "I loved that class from the very beginning, and it was because of the level of care he put into the class."
Rogue Training Systems is planning a memorial bike ride to honor Argall on July 20 at Lake Pflugerville. The center is also collecting donations to set up a scholarship fund for Argall's children.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Gateway Community Church, 7104 McNeil Drive.