Sep 20, 2007 12:00 am US/Central
Loved Ones, Strangers Remember Killed Bicyclist
by Heather Brown
Minneapolis (WCCO) ―
Hundreds of people gathered Wednesday night in south Minneapolis to remember a father who died on nighttime bike ride in his neighborhood.
Mark Loesch went for a bike ride one week ago but never came home. A boy on his way to school found him the next morning. He'd been badly beaten and died before help arrived.
"We're all devastated. We can't believe that this happened. We also can't believe it happened so close to home," said Catherine Myers, a friend of Loesch's and an organizer of the Memorial Walk/Ride in his honor.
Enough friends and strangers to fill three city blocks came from all over the city to retrace the path they believe Mark took the night he died.
"It struck a chord with me as a biker and it seemed like the right thing to come out and support," said Sam Johnson, a rider who never met Loesch. He said he now has second thoughts about riding his bike alone at night.
People filled a banner with messages to the Loesch family.
One man wrote, "You will be missed. Rest in peace." A child left a message for Mark's kids. He was the father to four.
Organizers hope this walk/ride will bring attention to this killing. Police said they've interviewed a variety of people but have nothing concrete. They hope anyone who know something will come forward with a break in the case.
"We just really don't want to see it again. We don't want what happened to Mark and his family and his friends to happen to anyone else," said Myers.
At the end of the 1.2 mile walk/ride, family and friends gathered near the spot where Mark was found.
The wife of a man who found him said, "He's part of all of our families. And I didn't know him but I had the privilege to say goodbye."
Mark's children were there, but his wife wasn't ready yet. Hundreds of others came in her place to remind the people who stole their security, safety and friend, how much they've lost.
"Whoever did this, I want them to know how much they've hurt us," said friend Jim Balabuszko-Reay. "I want them to know that they've really impacted a lot of people here in a bad way."
A memorial fund has been set up for the Minneapolis man found killed while on a bike ride. You can send your donations to:
Mark Loesch Memorial Fund
Associated Bank
5353 Wayzata Blvd.
St. Louis Park, MN 55416
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