FESTUS, Mo. – At Surdyke Harley-Davidson, it has always been about bikes and family.
When Tim lost his son, Tom Surdyke, he looked for ways to honor him.
“I'm trying to make him proud and continue with his mission,” Tim said.
Two years ago, Tom Surdyke was at the beach with friends on the East Coast. He dove into the water to rescue a young man who could not swim. Tom got pulled down in a rip current and drowned.
“He knew what he had to do,” Tim said. “I'm proud of him.”
The selfless act was no surprise to his family. Tom had dedicated his life to service. He was a cadet at West Point.
“On one of his essays on his application, he said he wanted to serve for others who couldn't,” Tim said.
Tim and his wife also launched the Cadet Thomas Surdyke Memorial Foundation.
“The mission of the foundation is to promote and identify young leaders of character and foster them to serve their community,” Tim said. He has also pledged to donate 10 percent of the profits from his dealership to the foundation.
Still, Tim wanted to do something bolder. After 30 years, he is changing the name of his dealership. The name will be unveiled this weekend. Tim hopes whoever sees it will think of a young man who sacrificed his own life for someone else.
“Tom gave a good example for us. I'm trying to live by it.”
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