“Look Twice, Save a Life.” You see these signs all the time, everywhere, but still there are motorcycle accidents every summer because someone didn’t look twice or simply wasn’t paying attention.
A car made a left hand turn, but unfortunately the driver never saw Bill “Batmann” Fichthorn coming down the road on his motorcycle. In a blink of an eye, a wonderful, funny and caring man was gone, a family heartbroken and a wife left without a husband.
All who knew Bill were in a state of shock and devastated when the news came out that Bill was killed. Then anger soon took over when the details were known that the driver of the car just never saw Bill. But instead of dwelling on the hurt and anger, Bill’s family and friends decided to honor him with a party that he would have loved.
That was one year ago, July 27, 2019. Bill’s memory is still alive. His wife, Jennifer, and his family have made sure that everyone who didn’t know Bill, does now.
One of the things that Bill strongly believed in was the signs that read “Look Twice, Save a Life.” This was so important to Bill. “It’s always the other people,” he would say. He was right. Now his family is doing what they can to make sure this happens to noone else.
“He rode motorcycles for 40 years,” said Nicole Fichthorn, Bill’s daughter, “and he died at the expense of someone else.”
Nicole knew she wanted to put signs out telling people to watch out for motorcycles. Amy Stillwaggon of Newburgh Envelope got the ball rolling by generously creating and donating 24 signs. They read: Look Twice, Save a Life. Provided by the family of Bill “Batman” Fichthorn.
Nicole handed out the signs for family members to place wherever they could. Then friends wanted to help and even the members of the Nam Knights wanted to get involved after seeing a post about the sign placing on Facebook. There was such an outpouring of support that Nicole had to order more signs.
Nicole hopes that the signs make a difference to drivers.
“Seeing the signs is a constant reminder to slow down and pay attention,” she said. "Everyone is someone's family member.”
The first annual Bill “Batmann” Fichthorn Memorial Benefit Ride and BBQ Party will take place on Oct. 10, The ride/drive leaves from the Huguenot Firehouse on Route 209. Kickstands will be going up at 1 p.m. An after party will take place at Sand Beach at 348 Lake View Drive in Highland Lake from 1-6 p.m. The cost is $20 per person and there will be live entertainment, food, a 50/50, raffles, a BBQ, a cash bar and great friends. All proceeds will go to local veterans in memory of Bill “Batmann” Fichthorn. You can find more information on Facebook. Advance tickets are available at eventbrite.com.
Open your eyes, listen with your ears and stay off the phone when driving.
dkessler@th-record.com
August 31, 2020 at 01:07PM
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‘Look twice’ could have saved a life - Times Herald-Record
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