Terry Campbell
>From the desk of Bill Klingler:
Dear OBRA Community,
With a very saddened and heavy heart I'm writing to let everyone know that our incredible friend Kim Matheson lost her battle to melanoma on Tuesday, December 1st. She was with her rock and soulmate, her husband Nick "Pappy" Wagner and her mother Cheryl Matheson as she passed. Nick told me that Kim was telling jokes until her last breath, always smiling. That is how I will remember her with a giant smile on her face full of life waiting for the next adventure.
Many of you didn't get the chance to meet Kim or at least get to know her well, but those of us that did know were lucky to have such a friend in our lives. Kim was an "OG" BeerMonger. I remember Kim coming over to my house and suggesting that I give this cyclocross thing a try. I'd never been in clip-less mtb pedals before, never dismounted off a moving bike, never ridden in the rain, mud, anything off-camber, anything technical in my life. Kim took me to REI to get shoes and pedals and then we practiced dismounting in my condo. I'm laughing my 'can' off thinking about that night. I first went out to Alpenrose to watch Kim and to check out what cyclocross was and I was instantly hooked, although I do feel a little mislead for Kim made it look so easy. Kim was a natural athlete (collegiate athlete as well) and within little time climbed her way up to the Women A category and was extremely competitive. However, as much as Kim loved a good fight, she was an outstanding teammate
, always there to cheer others on and always willing to lend a hand to a beginner and show them the ropes, as she did for me. Kim was far more than a teammate, she was a best friend to so many of us. It's hard to imagine life without her but I know that she would want us to carry on, live life to the fullest, never give up and continue to ride on.
There will be a memorial service for Kim this Sunday, December 6th after KimmyCross at the Mazama Climbing Center (527 SE 43rd Ave, Portland, OR 97215) at 4:30pm.
Kim, we love you so much.
Now is your time to chase holeshots in heaven.