I met Chad a little more than 20 years ago while purchasing his hot tub for our new backyard deck in the community of Hunters Green, Tampa FL. We became great friends immediately having both played college football, the liking of custom motorcycles and the enjoyment of coaching youth football. I recall when we drove to St. Petersburg to test ride my first Big Dog motorcycle and where we both met our match in riding such a powerful motorcycle. We both learned that we were still novice riders for these big bikes.

From there we enjoyed many motorcycle rides with our biking friends to Leesburg and the Zephyrhills motorcycle event gatherings. This was only surpassed by the many weekend bike rides to San Antonio for a barbecue lunch. Our youth football coaching brought out the competition in both of us to teach and encourage the young kids and adults to be better football players and become responsible young men.

It was a great joy and honor for my wife and I to spend many special events and holidays with Chad’s family. The food was always good and the hospitality was even better. Chad was a man of great character and personality. He was caring and very generous to his family, friends and even to total strangers. The only thing bigger than his generosity was his heart and love for his family and friends. I have several older brothers and Chad was the younger brother that I never had previously. I am sure many of his good friends feel the same way.

We are Grateful, Thankful and Blessed to have had Chad’s presence in our lives. He is in a better place now and will surely be missed but not forgotten. My wife and I extend our most sincere and deepest condolences to Lisa, Jacob, Coty, Caitlin, Rosalie and his entire family.

May God Bless all of you with comfort and love during this grieving time.

All of our sympathy and love,

Jeff & Leanne Rutten

Wausau, WI.

Dear Family , Chad was such a generous and special person. We loved Chad. He was family to Vicki and I. He was my fishing partner and the friend I could always count on. We miss him dearly but know he is in a better place. I will cherish all the great memories forever. 

Steve Mathews