As many of you know Dane Leimbach was diagnosed some time ago with Aphasia and has been steadily losing the ability to talk and comprehend written communication. For those of you that see Dane at the monthly POG meetings you have noticed that he has also been losing weight.
Very recently the doctors have retested Dane and it is with great sadness that we have been told that the original diagnosis was incorrect and that Dane has ALS / Lou Gehrig's disease. The symptoms we have seen progressing over the last year are not confined to Aphasia as originally thought but are sadly the progression of ALS which has no known cure.
Dane has touched so many lives in a very positive way and the POG and it's members are testiment to that.
For those of you who don't know Dane he is the nephew of John Penton and cousin to the Penton boys, father and grandfather. Dane has worked, raced and lived motorcycling from his youth. He has raced the biggest races in the world and helped design the motorcycles we ride and the parts that go on them. You may not know Dane but there is a good chance you have been touched by his contribution to motorcycling.
We love Dane and he is a good man please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Jack Penton
Dane will be in my prayers.
Dane, hang tough.
Lew Mayer
Thank you for sharing this with us. Dane and his family have been added to my prayer list.
Steve Minor
Wilmington, NC
Jack,
Sorry to hear this about Dane.
You are so right about how he has touched the lives of many
and made this world a better place by his being here.
We will keep him in our thoughts and prayers.
Bob Bean
Jack,
This is very sad news for all of us in the Penton - POG family. We'll keep Dane in our thoughts.
since moving to ohio 24 years ago, i have been fortunate enough in life to have gotten to know dane pretty well and i am a better person for knowing him. he is an outstanding guy to work with and be around. he has always been supportive of anything that i have consulted him on, whether it was for something for amherst meadowlarks (which he has an integral member of) or for pog or teaching me some fine points of motoplats or penton bikes and motors. thanks jack for sharing this with us. God bless you and the rest of the family in this most difficult of times. you will remain in my prayers.
chicago jerry.
It is with a heavy heart that I write this brief note. I have known Dane for some years and hold him in great admiration. He has been a mainstay of the Penton MC's for as long I as I can remember.
He is in my prayers and thoughts.
God Bless Dane and everyone else in the Penton group.
Tony Friedel
My prayers are with the family. I have a great respect for Dane as a person and a motorcyclist. Amherst Meadowlarks is planning a couple of fund raisers to offset medical expenses. We'll keep everyone posted.
Jim
I have known for sometime of Dane's situation and am not surprised at the diagnoses. My Admiration goes far beyond motorcycles when it comes to Dane. He was a excellent example of the old saying "if it is worth doing it is worth doing it right".
Dane always helped with thoughts and ideas I had for the 100/125 Sachs and I had always wished we could have had he and Jack working for Honda in the late 1970's after the Penton brand went away.
I attended the Race at Tomahawk along with several the POG Members to Honor Dane when he was Recognized as a Lengend. I think he was surprised to see me even though I told him I would be there.....now I am so Happy I was able to be there to Honor him.
Dane and I used to share Factory parts that he and I picked up over the years and share stories about how much the factories did to get a edge on the other factories especially in Moto X. I will miss these discussions.
In closing I will have Dane (and his entire Family) in my Thoughts and Prayers daily. Thanks Dane for all the priceless memories.
Ron Carbaugh
Jack, living in the Northwest there are many I have never had the fortune of ever meeting. But I certainly know who Dane is. I am sure that you are right that I have been the benifactor of His work. It sadden me to think that he has this aweful disease. It will effect not just him but all of you in dramatic ways and by extension all of us. who love all of you. May the God of all comfort, comfort all of you as you ride this difficult trail. I will continue to keep all of you in our Prayers.
Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)
74'250 hare scrambler (project)
74' 1/2 440 maico
78' 440 maico
72' cr125 Husky (project)
74' TM125 suzuki
93' RMx 250 suzuki
I dont know Dane real well, of course I know who he is, but after meeting him a few years ago and talking to him at various events I have come to realize that Dane is one of those rare indiviuals who are truly mechanical genuises.Most of our POG members do alright in the nuts and bolts part of our sport. Thats part of the allure of the Penton mc. However, Dane does more than just alright. If he sees a problem, not just a Penton problem, but any elctrical or mechanical problem, he intuitivly grasps the problem, diagnoses the problem, figures out how to fix the problem and then reengineers the whole piece so its better than it was designed to be. And he does this instinctivly. He is also one fine human being. My family will be lifting Dane and his family before the throne of our almighty Father. Thru him all things are possible. Hang in there Dane, this is a special test section. Hank
Hank Rinehart
Dane will always be "Mr 100" and a personal hero of mine. I am grateful that I had the chance to meet him for the first time at the '08 Tulsa ISDTRR when I was on my Berkshire. He was the honorary starter for the 100 grass track moto, which I managed to win, and my Mom took pictures of him greeting me at the finish.
(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x348/kartwheel68/DSC_0165.jpg)
(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x348/kartwheel68/DSC_0166.jpg)
I will never forget Dane, or this moment.
Brian
Dane has been a close friend of mine for many many years. His kindness to me when I first started riding nat'l event was greatly appreciated. He offered to let me pit out of the famous Penton Cycleliner at the ISDT Qualifiers in 1975 and became great friends with Dane and Teddy. Teddy's loss to us in 1980 hit me hard. I felt like I had lost a brother. I too had known of Danes Aphasia and how he was embarassed by not being about to communicate. Dane walked around the MX test at the last ISDT Reunion with me and Greg Holder. Never said a word but would smile and point to the best lines and I would give him a smile and thumbs up. I missed seeing him at Indy Dealer Expo this year. I hope his family can make him comfortable and content in this trying time. Jack, I appreciate you letting us know. I had been periodically speaking with Barb about his condition.
Dwight
So very sorry to hear this about Dane. I haven't known him for very long but it didn't take long to admire his accomplishments and his knowledge of the Penton motorcycles and especially the Motoplat ignitions! It is very hard to express in words the sad feeling I have after hearing this.
Rod G
Dane- We are praying for you and your family.
Jeff
Dane- you have touched all our lives. We are praying for you buddy.
Jeff
Here is a shortcut to some info on a steak fry benefit for Dane. The date is August 6 at Amherst Meadowlarks. Thanks http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=138615436214435
Jim
Dane is a fine person; he has always been helpful and pleasant, and an inspiration to me as a racer on his Penton Berkshire. "I could catch him, but never pass him." Joe p.s. Thank you, Brian, for posting the great photos of Dane and yourself....
This is devastating news.Dane,you are a true Hero and you'll be in my thoughts and prayers.
Ric
ric emmal
Dane was and still is a Hero to me. Dane made me feel like family to him when i was just a young kid running the roads with my father. Dane, My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and the entire Penton family. I can only ask the Lord to help Dane and his entire family during these most trying of times. Thanks Jack for the update and please keep us informed.
Dane, although we have never met, you and your family will be in our prayers. Living on the West coast, I don't personally know many of the POG family members, but being a regular on this site for the past many years, I have gotten to know many of you and consider all POG members part of this rare family. God bless you for all you have done and all of the people you have touched.
Lloyd Boland
Can't make to the Benefit for Dane, but would like to paypal some funds to the steak BBQ event. Need a paypal email address.
Thanks, Paul(socal)
Quotequote:Originally posted by joe novak
p.s. Thank you, Brian, for posting the great photos of Dane and yourself....
No problem. That is one of those things where you dont realize how special the moment was until years later.
Brian
I have only met Dane once -- at the Ohio RR two years ago. But I have carefully read many of his posts (many of which I saw as a result of search results). Purely from this perspective -- and not from the benefit that many of you have of knowing Dane as a person -- it is obvious that Dane has an incredible fund of technical expertise matched to an amazing practical outlook. He has shared, in his posts, details that would be llike having one of Apple's top design enginers sit with you to explain how to use your Ipod. How often could any manufacturer hope to encounter such technical expertise and precision of thought combined with world-class riding ability? He truly is a remarkable person. Anyway I apologize for not expressing myself clearly enough but would like Dane and his family and friends to know that there are many people who have benefited from his insight and generosity that cannot be counted simply by reviewing posts on this or any forum. Best, John
Agreed that Dane was/is the "techie" of the bunch and always ready to share his wealth of knowledge with anyone with no expectation of anything in return but a thank you. He watched me struggling for a moment or two with a tire change at one of the Reunion Rides and then calmly talked me through it like a true coach would, and had as much satisfaction from seeing me successfully complete the job as if he'd done it himself (although he would have done it in much less time!) One never knows the right things to say at moments like this, but suffice it to say that Dane (and the Penton family) will have the prayers of the entire POG family with them, mine included.
Jeff DeBell
I first met Dane in June of 1997 at his farm on a Saturday morning. I believe that it was Jack that provided me with his phone number so that I could call and make the appointment to visit him. The purpose of my visit was to see if he would loan me his ISDT medals so that I could frame them up and use them in a "Penton" display that I was planning for the AMA Vintage Days event at Mid-Ohio. He had some boxes on his picnic table in the back yard when I arrived. Each box was like an archeological dig with each layer that he pulled out representing one of the ISDT events he participated in. Each layer contained rider maps, directional arrows, banners, meal tickets, etc. What struck me was how well organized he was. Even though all those things were in boxes, they were in precise order and he knew where everything was and everything was carefully placed back in order after he was done showing me what he had. When I told him that the only interest that I had of his ISDT items were his medals, he went into his barn and brought out a home made wooden box with a glass lid. After wiping some of the dust off of the glass, I could see his ISDT medals carefully arranged inside. He removed those medals from the box and placed them in my hands. I can't describe the honor that I felt to be trusted with his medals and it was a wonderful feeling to have his framed medals decorating the Penton display at Mid-Ohio that year. I am sure that those framed medal are now decorating a wall in his house rather than sitting on a shelf in a barn.
During our early meetings of the Penton Owners Group there would be a round of discussions about trying to remember something about the Penton motorcycles. Dane would typically sit and listen to what was being said and when the "dust had settled" he would finally talk about the topic. What he had to say was almost always accurate, setting everyone straight. As John mentioned in his post, Dane is very technical with a wealth of knowledge that he is always willing to share to help someone out.
It has been hard for me and the other POG members to be witnessing Dane's decline in health the past couple of years. My prayers go out to him and his family members.
Alan Buehner
I have not had the good fortune to met Dane, but the descriptions of him from people who have, tell you all you need to know.
Dane, you are in our prayers and best wishes and hopes to you.
Patrick Houston
Tennessee
Jeff D,
Thanks for recounting the tire lesson. I was standing there when Dane told you that you had gone too far with the tire iron and had put a hole in the tube. He was right as usual. He used to turn the tire around at the MX track just to have people ask why? I have some great memories with Dane that will always stay with me.
Ron Carbaugh
Jeff's story dovetails into Al's story of Dane's attention to detail. The two pictures before the ones I put up before are here:
(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x348/kartwheel68/DSC_0162.jpg)
(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x348/kartwheel68/DSC_0163.jpg)
I took the checkered flag and was showing off doing a wheelie. Look at Dane in the foreground, he is excited because he realizes the REAL finish is the transponder timing sensor which you can see to the right. I was so busy basking in my glorious win I was not even paying attention to the sensor, he was waving at me to get my butt over there and stop goofing off!! That is how into racing he was, and that came from years of being around it, its what you call "racecraft". I wont say he was aggravated with me, thats too strong a word, but he did kid me about it a little, which I deserved.
Its one of those little things that seemed insignificant at the time, but I will always remember it and smile.
Brian
Dane is one of the nicest people of the whole Penton group. I hate to hear this. About all I can say is, Dane, you have a great heart and your next life will be better than this one. Hang in there.
Mike Lenz
Wow - the fastest 100 cc racer in the world has been slowed by a physical impairment.
Dane, you have been one of my heroes since I was 13 years old. It has been a tremendous honor & pleasure getting to know you & spending time with you in the pits at the ISDTRR.
When I broke my hip 2 years ago - little did I know that it would leave me as a spectator at the races, and then bless me with getting to spend more time getting to know the heroes of my youth.
This time we have together re-living the follies of our childhood is fleeting. We really need to focus on the camraderie and enjoy it while we can.
All my best to you & your family. May you handle this bump in the road with the same grace & dignity that you have shown throught the rest of your life.
Clark
I see that the paypal link is now up and running on the facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=138615436214435
Anyone who cannot attend should consider making whatever type of contribution that they can afford.
Clark
Having met Dane and the rest of the Penton Family/Fraternity/Sorority at Mid Ohio, I can say that it was an honor to be in the presence of such a wonderful group of people. They made me feel part of the family.
Dane, I wish you and your family the best, and pray that this will just be a checkpoint that you will beat on the trail.
God bless you all.
(http://i634.photobucket.com/albums/uu69/samsdad57/PICT0098.jpg)
Robert Manucy
72 Berkshire
72 Six Day
82 Honda cr250r
04 BMW K 1200 GT - KIA in N. Ga. - 32987 smiles
08 BMW K 1200 S
Thanks Robert. Please email me this picture....Thanks again.
Ron Carbaugh
Another great photo of POG members having fun. Thank you for sharing. Joe
WOW, What a shock...I just got back to this forum after being away for several years. Dane's name was one of the first I knew when I got involved in dirt bikes.
Don't forget that Dane's benefit at the amherst Medowlarks is getting closer with every passing day. Make your plans to attend. Tickets are available at On the Edge Honda. If you are not able to be there kindly make a donation.
See you there and down Old Dusty.
Amherst Paul
Quotequote:Originally posted by SouthRider
I see that the paypal link is now up and running on the facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=138615436214435
Anyone who cannot attend should consider making whatever type of contribution that they can afford.
Clark
Can't seem to find the paypal connection on this link. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Skip
Skip Page
Tucson, AZ
Can I just PayPal directly to the Meadowlarks or something? I don't do any of the Facebook/space/twitter/tweet stuff.
Mike H.
Tulsa
Jack also posted this link on another thread:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=L62AH3TVJFGD4
It should take you directly to paypal.
This is very sad news, I have been away from the Penton site for quite some time. I visited with Dane on and off over the years and he had told me about some health problems he was having. I always remember him as a true sportsman and a nice guy. My wife Connie and I have wonderful memories of the ISDT qualifiers, Dane was always a great help. Dane and his family are in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you Jack for letting us know!
Mike McGowan
Thanks for posting this payola link. It works.
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=L62AH3TVJFGD4
Ron Carbaugh
I have started this post several times and then stopped as it was too difficult to put my feelings into words. The thought of someone as special as Dane suffering with this awful disease just makes me so sad. I mentioned to a fellow Pogger at Mid Ohio that I had not been able to bring myself to post anything and he urged me to get to it and reminded me it is not about me, but about letting Dane know how important he is to so many. So here it goes...Like many others I have been lucky enough to have known Dane for many, many years. As a young girl I admired his riding abilities. Once I met him, I was amazed at his intelligence. I have always commented to others how impressed I was with Dane's life long commitment to our sport, in so many capacities. He has always done it without ever expecting any recognition or thanks for his never ending efforts. As a motorcycle dealer for nearly 20 years, I cannot tell you how many times Dane helped me out with ignitions, questions and technical advice. As a CRA promoter, I sat with Dane at our monthly meetings for nearly 20 years. Some of my favorite memories are the annual Josh McCoy Steak Frys at Amherst. For several years "our regular gang" included Dane, Mike Rosso and Kathie & Towne. Let me just say I am glad I have those memories and even happier that what happens inside the Meadowlarks club house, stays at the Meadowlarks club house.[:I] And for the past decade, I have got to enjoy Dane's company as a fellow POG member. But the relationship I cherish most with Dane is that of a friend. I truly feel blessed and honored to be able to call him a friend. Dane, as anyone who knows him will attest to, always has taken the time to help others. Small or huge problems, he jumps right in. Mr. Penton has said that everything comes down to LOVE. Those words could not have more meaning then at a time like this. Dane, I hope you know and can feel all the love that is being sent your way by everyone around you and by everyone who's lives you have touched...including one of your biggest fans...me! [:X]
Toni Roach