Richard T. Koos, 86, husband of the late Dorothy Irene (Shields) Koos, of Douglassville, PA and New Port Richey, FL, formerly Harbor Creek, PA, passed away on Monday, April 28, 2008, in the Pottstown Memorial Medical Center.? Born in Erie, he was a son of the late Nicholas and Mary Veronica (Sullivan) Koos. ?
Mr. Koos served as a dispatch rider and motorcycle instructor in the United States Army, during World War II.? While overseas, he was with the 12th Armored Infantry Division.? He received a Silver Star for heroism. Sergeant Koos was in charge of a machine gun crew in Herleisham, during the Battle of the Bulge, and the Bronze Star of the Premier Armee Francaise.? After the war ended, he became Military Police on motorcycle patrol.? ?
Dick began a lifelong love of motorcycles in 1937, when he traded his mother's sewing machine for a 1929 Harley Davidson J.D.? He began his racing career in 1939 by hill climbing an Indian Chief, before being issued number 90u by the American Motorcycle Association.? In 1949 he won the Pennsylvania Champion Racing Tourist Trophy and was the short track Tri-State (Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania) Champion for three consecutive years.? He was owner of the former Koos Cycle Sports, in Harbor Creek, participated in the Road and Gypsy Motorcycle Tours for forty years, sponsored many motorcycle and snowmobile racing machines, and introduced the Erie area to snowmobiles, by bringing the first one from Canada.?
Mr. Koos is survived children Colleen and Richard, Bruce Smith and Hy Mayerson, six grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, eight nieces, three nephews, two sister-in-laws, and two brother-in-laws. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by daughter Debra Koos and brothers Donald, Edward, and Jack.?
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Graveside Service at Erie Cemetery, on Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 1 PM.? In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Heartland Hospice, 4 Park Plaza, Suite 105, Wyomissing, PA 19610. Online condolences may be made at www.CattermoleKlotzbachFuneralHome.com.