Chip was a special friend to so many, and I am honored to remember him in 2025 as we celebrate our 20th annual Last Mile – I am grateful and will continue to find ways to thank and honor him and the community he contributed so much to.

Chip always called me “kid” – for so long I thought I was the only one who had that nickname, turns out I wasn’t – but he had a way of making all of us feel special. So here is all us “kids” chance to honor Chip’s legacy.

Chip’s name is synonymous with the Last Mile fundraiser because for 17 years he was a constant presence at the event and always the top fundraiser. His laugh and larger than life physical presence could be seen and heard over the crowd on the day of the ride.

In the weeks leading up to the event he drove around after work, soliciting donations, walking into other businesses and asking customers at his garage to join him in helping people he would never know but believed they all deserved a peaceful and dignified end of life experience. It’s impossible to count the number of people he has helped.

Each year he would hand me a bulging envelope covered with grease-stained fingerprints. I would always pause, my eyes filling up with tears, and he would smile and say, “Well I did better this year Kid.” To this day, I miss the riders, neighbors, colleagues, and friends asking me, “So how did Chip do this year?”

Please consider making a contribution in his memory as we celebrate our 20th Last Mile, and honor Chip by living, and giving, like he did. These small acts of kindness add up and will continue the legacy of our friend.