Rich Ostrander, aka Dr Sprocket

[EricOlson]

It is with a heavy heart that I report the passing of my good friend Rich Ostrander, aka Dr Sprocket. Many of you may know Rich from the multitude of stories he wrote about motorcycling and had published, or from his numerous contributions here on the forum. He was a friend to many and always had a place to stay and a bike to ride when he traveled around the country. Rich had been fighting illness for a while, but as with so many other things in his life he met it head-on and took control of the situation. https://thevintagent.com/2025/02/10/...a-dr-sprocket/

I don’t have the words to fully describe what an amazing friend and mentor Rich was for me or all the things he contributed to our hobby. God speed my friend. I look forward to talking old bikes again in the next life.

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[T. Cotten]

Godspeed.

....Cotten

[JoJo357]

Oh Man, this is saddening. Super guy & friend. An old acquaintance of Rich had a 'Massive sPeEdWaY Collection' in California a few years ago, and Rich helped me out with it. He'll definety be missed. Thank You Eric, for posting that Vintagent article, it's a really Good tribute to Rich.

*R.i.P.* Rich Ostrander. God Speed Brother.

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*M.A.D.*

[exeric]

When I think of Rich, I think of his gorgeous Super X and his great stories. God bless you, Rich and my deepest condolences to his family, many friends, and loved ones.

[ChiefTwoKicks]

Ive known Rich for a very long time, before he moved up north to Sacramento. He will be dearly missed by so many... He was always a presence, with his big booming voice !
Its hard to imagine anyone else who would put as much passion into whatever inspiration he was focused on for the moment. A USAF veteran, he was very proud to be able to represent our country. Rich traveled the country, chasing the "curcuit ", National Road Runs, and Meets, expressing with words and wisdom the virtues of the passions we all share in our love for old motorcycles. His contributions to the AMCA are numerous. He inspired so many.

A dedicated motorman, historian, artist, the author of many articles, Rich stands tall as one of the most prolific contributors to the AMCA's mission of keeping our values strong. Anyone who has ever met Rich would never forget him. Just the kind of guy who would leave a lasting impression, where ever he went. He remembered your name, even if he hadn't seen you for years. He became your friend right after he just met you. He gave you 100% everytime. Condolences to his family, club chapter (Ft.Sutter), and all his friends.

I believe Rich Ostrander, Dr. Sproket. belongs in the AMCA Hall of Fame. He deserves it.

Roger Herbison aka C2K
SoCAl Chapter AMCA

[surfdude]

Doc was a walking motorcycle history book. He and I would ping each other over email a couple of times a year to see how things were and what projects were in the works. He sent a couple of old pictures over the years and I kept telling him you gotta write the book and include the photo album! He would say no time for that. Glad we got all the stories he did share. Condolences to his family and friends.

[jcrawford]

Rich, a.k.a. Dr. Sprocket, and I met at the second AMCA "D-J" Run in Colorado many years ago and we have been friends ever since. I will miss him a lot. We enjoyed so many good times over these many years at AMCA Meets and what later became known as National Road Runs. Because of these shared adventures, I am fortunate to have met more good friends both east and west, including Larry and Dave Harris, Gary Maucher, Joe Gimpel, Don Schmidt, Jim & Sheila Howrey, Lenny Miller and many more who also cherished his friendship.
Rest in Peace pal as you reminisce in the hereafter with the many you have crossed paths with who have preceeded.
I agree with Roger's suggestion above.

John Crawford
Vancouver, B.C.

[PRG]

[Keith Kizer]

The news from Eric Olson on Monday of Rich's passing was hard to take, even though expected. When I talked to Rich a few days before heading to the AMCA Blue Ridge National Road Run in Maggie Valley last week, he prepared me that it would most likely be the last time we talked. He wanted to make sure that when he was gone, to reassign his AMCA membership #47 to his good friend Bob Henry.

I spoke with Greg Williams the day I spoke to Rich to ask him to start gathering information and photos for a future story on Rich O. You will see on The Vintegent link Eric posted, Greg has a separate story there. Rich was a good friend to many of us.

Here is a photo of him in his '41 Chevy, which I bought from him a couple of years ago when he got sick and was downsizing. I'm proud to own a little of Rich O history to remember him by. Look for a full story about Rich in the January issue of The Antique Motorcycle. Rest in Peace, my friend. - Keith

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