We got this request from the niece of former national 96, Bill Schaeffer.
Dear Sideburn magazine
I need your help please. My name is Tammy Tyler and I am the niece of Bill Schaeffer. Bill is in the hospital with Covid and pneumonia.
Bill raced in the early-70s. His national number was 96. We grew up riding motorcycles and being around the sport. Motorcycle racing was his life back then. It was the whole family's life.
Bill is now a husband, father and grandfather of five. His oldest grandson got a motorcycle before getting a bicycle. Of course his coaching skills are a lot different now . His words are always Slow down , don't go so fast, dammit , and other expletives. Nobody ever listens though.
I am reaching out to you for some extra prayers and positivity today. Although the family is unable to visit they are able to FaceTime him. He is in an induced coma and unable to respond but we believe he hears us. Any cards or messages of positivity would mean a lot to the family as they can read them to him. Please , please reach out to any racers to send the family thoughts and prayers . Correspondence can be emailed to: deborahschaeffer@icloud.com
I thank you for reading this email
Please keep him in your prayers
Very sincerely
Tammy Tyler
Read about one of Bill's big wins at CycleNews.com
Photo: Gary van Voorhis