Remembering & Thanking Jerry Sommerman

Our good friend, Jerry Sommerman, went along to heaven yesterday after bravely battling cancer.  Jerry was MANY things: Husband, Father, Grandfather.  He was a mountaineer, adventurer, traveler, triathlete.  He was kind and happy and fun.  He listened and asked questions - he was so INTERESTING...but even more so was INTERESTED and invested in the people around him.  

Jerry actively raced with RTB for quite a few years from around 2008 and made many friends.  He won and drank from many podium pint glasses!  He did almost every single XTERRA Black Diamond - getting a little faster each time. He also did the Black Diamond Half, Lake Meridian Tris...   Bill took a photo of Jerry at the finish line of an event with his warm, bright, incredible smile. I used that photo on the webpage..in flyers... everywhere for a few years until I wore it out.   It - He - was a wonderful representation of the best of RTB.  I'm looking everywhere for that photo!! When I find it I'll post. 

Karen Nolting has great memories of him: "Jerry was a skilled mountaineer willing to teach and share his knowledge and love for the outdoors. The expeditions he led were inclusive, he built people up. Jerry had a wonderful laugh and he used to ease tensions and build relationships. He was always a friend. Even if you hadn't seen him for awhile. I could always trust Jerry. Whether it was on a bike or on a mountain. The circumstances didn't matter."

Scott Serpa is a long-time friend of Jerry's.  They are cut of similar athletic cloth...both doing amazing athletic feats long into the years where many men are taking up more sedentary undertakings. Scott remembers Jerry as "An amazing person - a great friend who valued his family like no other."

Jerry,  you were awesome - thank you for living a part of your life with RTB. We're better because you were with us.  We will miss you. 

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