R.I.P. Ernie Schuster

[TOPGUN]

Sad News: I posted this notice on the Ohio Board, but I also know Ernie loved the Valkyrie Community and thought I should post here also.

I know lots of you out there knew Ernie Schuster the creator of Dragon Paks Exhaust. Ernie passed away peacefully early yesterday morning after a short battle with liver cancer. We had been friends for over 40 years and rode bikes together for that same amount of time starting with the 1973 Yamaha TX750 up to his most recent ride, the Honda F6B. He loved to ride, and even though we haven't spoken in the last few years, I feel compelled to let everyone know he was my good friend for a very large part of my life. I know the service is going to be a very small and private in Brunswick, Ohio and I believe his obituary will be in the Medina Gazette in the next day or so. R.I.P. my friend, Keith (TOPGUN) Ernie was 61 years young.

[f6gal]

Ok, that was a shock!  Cancer sucks.

God's Speed Ernie.

[Serk]

 

[henry 008]

please keep lynn in your thoughts and prayers.  Godspeed my friend.

[ptgb]

Had become friends with Ernie over the last few years, and this news comes as a big shock!

Talked to him about a month ago, and the private person that he was, gave no clue that he was sick.

Ernie was the one in our riding group who never made the beginnings of our rides. We would be in 50 miles into the ride and pass Ernie at some random intersection standing there with his arms up in the air, ticked off, because we left the meetup point before he got there (he would never let us know for sure if he was coming on rides or not).

Godspeed my friend, I'm sure you will be waiting on the other side with both arms up in the air wondering where we've been.

[TOPGUN]

I remember that day PTGB. He had dragged me along, well not really dragged because I wanted to ride too, but we missed you guys by like 5 minutes and then saw the group at a random intersection in the middle of nowhere. Good times...kk

[Black Dog]

Sad news indeed...

RIP Earnie 

Black Dog

[Willow]

Shocking news.  I too did not know he was sick.

My heart grieves at his passing.   

[Dave Ritsema]

Very sad to hear this. Ernie was a good guy, a strong supporter of the Valkyrie and of the VRCC.  

[TJ]

R.I.P. Ernie... 

[Flat6Valk]

SAD SAD NEWS.  I spoke with Ernie several times over the course of the last 8 years.  I never met him in person but still on the phone he was great.

R.I.P. MY FRIEND.

GREG
Flat6Valk

[Nico]

I met Ernie for the first time at the Michigan Inzane. He was a great guy and Lynn was so nice to be around. When my wife and I got back home after the trip, she said "I have something for you"... and proceeded to give me a polished aluminum lower cover that goes under the timing belt cover. It has the word "Valkyrie" laser cut into it. I asked her when she bought it. She said "I didn't buy it. Ernie makes them and he gave me one for you. But, he told me I couldn't give it to you till we got home." It is on El Diablo to this day.

When Inzane was in Arkansas, Mary and I had the pleasure of riding the Pig Trail with Ernie, Lynn and another couple, as well as having a wonderful dinner with this group at the Bavarian restaurant around the corner from Ground Zero. A great night with great people.

He was a class act.....He will be missed....

[Tonysax]

Sad news. I had Ernie make me a set of pipes ( the best pipes I have ever had ). My wife and I had Brunch with Ernie and Lynn at the Gettysburg Gathering. He was very soft spoken, and shared some stories . A real smart guy. He will be missed. 

[MP]

Talked with him at a couple inzanes.  Exchanged a few PM's.  Very nice guy.  61?  Waaaaay too young.

R.I.P. Ernie.

MP

[big d]

It is sad news. Ernie was a class act. Prayers for Lynn to find piece during this difficult time.

[LTD]

Sounded like a pretty good old boy. rip brother condolences to the family in their grieving.

[fantsybikr]

I wanted to share this for any Valkyrie Riders that might have known Ernie Schuster, of Dragon Paks Exhaust.

Posted On Facebook by,

Monica Bechhold
54 mins · Bedford Heights, OH

Friends-I just spoke with Lynne Schuster this evening. She asked me to reach out to all her Valkyrie friends to express her appreciation for the kind thoughts. She shared that Ernie had been suffering from cancer for a long time but took a turn for the worse last week. He passed away yesterday morning.
One of the things that he had always wanted was a motorcycle procession at his funeral. Per Ernie's request please join us in escorting Ernie from the funeral home to his final resting place.

This Friday June 27th at 11am at Waite & Son funeral home
3300 Center Road (rt. 303)
Brunswick.
Ride to Hope Memorial Park cemetery On rt. 303 in Hinkley.

[Misfit]

Ernie will be missed. RIP my friend. 

[Momz]

I first called Ernie at least 10 years ago about having me a "Stacks and Packs" system built with 24" glass packs. He said that 24" glass packs are not normally what he uses (18" for I/S's), but he'd get them. He said that if our paths ever crossed, that he'd like to hear them. He called twice after I installed the system just to be sure that I was satisfied and happy with his work.

We met at "Dragons over the Smokies" and he loved the sound of the exhaust as much as others that were behind me. 

I also needed a few small parts to build my 97 "Bobber" and he said, "make me an offer". The parts were sent within two days and no shipping charges. He called and said, "send me a check when you can".

I thought that he was a guy that had "CLASS".
RIP and PEACE Ernie

[Big Mike]

I will be at the funeral, Who else can go?

[Dave Ritsema]

I will be at the funeral, Who else can go?

Thanks for representing for us Mike, I am unable to get off work. 
A found a little more info here.




http://www.waitefuneralhome.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=2581397&fh_id=11203

[ptgb]

I will be at the funeral, Who else can go?

We were able to re-arrange work schedules; myself and JoJo will be there.

[MP]

I am glad some of us can make it.  Being in SW ND, it is just waaay too far.  Wish I could  make it. 

MP

[Wizzard]

So sorry to hear this. I had a great time meeting Ernie on the Blue and Gray ride in PA. We rode some back roads there together and talked at some stops. Glad I was blessed by knowing him. Prayers for his family. Ernie was always upbeat and positive.

[Spirited-6]

Wishing he had a VERY FULL LIFE. 

[LL]

I wrote something when I first read this last Wednesday but I deleted it. For some reason this got to me in a different way.
Years ago I contacted Ernie about some exhaust for my 97 Tourer, we agreed on what I wanted and when it came to price he asked if I had anything to trade. I had a new extra OEM set of saddlebag rails and the deal was set. Knowing how hot an item the rails were even then, after talking to him, I shipped him the rails before getting the exhaust... to me he was just that kinda guy.

You don't find enough people like that in todays world........

Really wished I lived closer so I could pay my respects to the man...

 

[ptgb]

Just got back from the service. Lynn was very thankful for all the support from the Valkyrie community.

Proud to say that 30 bikes came to escort Ernie on his final earthly ride!




See ya buddy.... it's been a great ride!

[Big Mike]

The service was awesome. Lynn seemed very surprised as most of the bikes were a few mins behind. I was talking to her when she said that it was nice that so any bikes showed up. Then about 12 to 15 more bikes came around the corner and she was floored. The procession was nice, led by the obvious then Ken, Ernie's son in law, rode Ernie's F6B followed by 1 family SUV then the 30 or so bikes with the rest of the cars at the end for a nice grave site service.

[TOPGUN]

I agree with Pete and Big Mike. We had a beautiful day and Ernie would have been really happy with the support from the Valkyrie Community. For those who could make it, Lynn was very very appreciative. For those of you that posted and were praying for Ernie, I'm sure she was also very appreciative. Ernie was my best friend and I will truly miss him. Until we meet again my friend, R.I.P. Bert

[JetDriver]

Very nice service and cool motorcycle tribute.

[Joevalk]

RIP my friend

[MP]

Glad you were able to go, JetDriver. Wish I had been able to.  Thanks for the pics.

MP