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Daniel Litoff
1/21/2026 8:46 PM
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I am sad to hear of Bill's passing. He was a very skilled rider and would participate in whatever crazy rides I would lead. He rode on my Dunkin Donuts Century and even the January Century of the Month Ride in 1995. He was a quiet person who didn't speak about his military service that I can remember.
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Rebecca Tung
1/18/2026 12:09 AM
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My guess as to how far north Bill went, the day Neal spotted him in Racine, would be Milwaukee as well. We used to do a South Milwaukee ride, 147 miles from Chandler and back.
He also liked to ride along Route 50 by Kenosha by himself, I’ve spotted him on that stretch (while driving in a car) more than once.
Rebecca Sent from my iPad
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Christopher Wilson
1/17/2026 11:49 PM
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Neal,
It is likely that Bill arrived in Milwaukee that day after having already completed an EBC ride that morning. Bill would often add on many more miles after his ride with EBC.
I will miss him. I plan to add a short essay to Bill's funeral home's memory book.
Chris
- - - - - - - - - -
A(rthur) Christopher “Chris” Wilson
cell: 1.773.793.4655
(landline no longer exists)
ACWilson99@comcast.net
6448 N Talman Ave., W Rogers Park, Chicago, IL, 60645, USA
--------------------------------
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Neal Ney
1/17/2026 8:42 PM
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Bill was a fixture on Club rides when I first joined and for
many years thereafter. I had heard that he often did long rides by himself, but
I didn’t understand exactly what that meant until one July afternoon many years
after I had joined the club. I was in Racine hanging out with a bunch of Buddhists
on retreat. In the afternoon of the second day, I needed a break from all of
that earnestness. Since I was sans bicycle, I elected to go for a walk on the
neighborhood streets. A familiar figure pulled up alongside me and came to a
stop. It was Bill. We spoke only briefly. I never did learn how far north he had
ridden, but he was on his way back to Chicago. It was around 2:30 or 3:00 in
the afternoon, and he had at least 65 or 70 miles to go. It amazed me then, and
it amazes me still.
You have to ask Rebecca for details about the Krispy Kremes & Bill. It is another good Bill story. When I asked him years ago what he eats for his long rides, Bill answered " Whatever is available." So, I guess he really did.
Our remembrances show how sad we all are that our friend, Bill, has passed.
Donna
-- Neal J. Ney
224 Grey Ave.
Evanston, IL 60202
847-274-6480
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Donna Fritz
1/16/2026 3:10 PM
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You have to ask Rebecca for details about the Krispy Kremes & Bill. It is another good Bill story. When I asked him years ago what he eats for his long rides, Bill answered " Whatever is available." So, I guess he really did.
Our remembrances show how sad we all are that our friend, Bill, has passed.
Donna I am so sorry to hear about Bill's passing. I went on many rides with him over the years. I was not on the ride to the south side of the city where Bill was alleged to have eaten six Krispy Kreme donuts. Bill was a strong rider with a quiet demeanor who I really enjoyed sharing the road with.
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James Heller
1/16/2026 12:50 PM
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I have some of the same memories as Jay. Bill loved to ride and I loved riding with him. Every Wed. we would ride home on Sheridan road and at Tower road we would "race" down Sheridan. Bill bought a Specialized (I think) bike whose frame was guaranteed for life. Bill put so man;y miles on the bike that the frame failed. The company gave Bill a new bike!
Jim I am sadden to hear of Bill's passing. I remember many rides back from Bluffingtons with him sipping his cup of coffee and then blasting past me at highland Park high school. I also spent a really nice day with with him riding the hilly hundred in Indiana. He was stronger, but never minded waiting for me to catch up. Jay
Sent from my phone
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Jay Twery
1/16/2026 11:50 AM
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I am sadden to hear of Bill's passing. I remember many rides back from Bluffingtons with him sipping his cup of coffee and then blasting past me at highland Park high school. I also spent a really nice day with with him riding the hilly hundred in Indiana. He was stronger, but never minded waiting for me to catch up. Jay
Sent from my phone
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Hank Scheff
1/16/2026 11:08 AM
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Bill was active with EBC in 1993 when I joined, he was a very frequent rider who knew how to bundle up so he could ride year round. I rode with him frequently. Very quiet, kind of a loner. I used to see him riding on his own, clearly cycling is what kept him going. I think EBC was welcoming to him but I am guessing he was a lonely person, maybe that was his preference?
Hank
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Jo Gayle
1/16/2026 10:26 AM
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I only did a couple of rides with Bill because he was a much faster rider than I was, but he joined a small group of EBCers who played Mexican Train way back when. I always enjoyed his company. He will be missed.
Jo
Sent from my iPhone
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Cindy Martin
1/16/2026 10:18 AM
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I was really sad when I saw this in my Google Alerts. He was very helpful to me as a newbie club member 20+ years ago as I transitioned from a step-through hybrid to my first road bike. Quiet demeanor, but very knowledgeable. I also remember hearing something about him riding to/from EBC rides, even though he lived in the far northwest part of Chicago -- near Oak Park as I recall.
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Thomas Witt
1/16/2026 10:12 AM
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Indeed he was - and a very skilled rider too. He used to put his half consumed to-go coffee cup from Bluffington’s in his water bottle cage and finish it by the time we got south to Ft Sheridan. Always cracked me up - and impressed me as well.
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David Barish
1/16/2026 9:24 AM
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I am so sorry to hear about Bill's passing. I went on many rides with him over the years. I was not on the ride to the south side of the city where Bill was alleged to have eaten six Krispy Kreme donuts. Bill was a strong rider with a quiet demeanor who I really enjoyed sharing the road with.
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Alvin Spector
1/16/2026 7:21 AM
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This is very sad news, indeed. Bill was a quiet gentle soul, always a good guy to ride with. He quietly stopped riding with us many years ago.
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Rebecca Tung
1/15/2026 9:01 PM
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I was alerted by Cindy Martin that Bill Rizek, who was active in EBC for many years, passed away on January 12 this year, at age 82. Here’s a link to his obituary.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/william-bill-rizek-obituary?id=60539969
I have attached my entry in the guest book below. Bill stopped responding to phone call or email, and sort of disappeared from the club for a number of years now, I often wondered what happened to him. I’m sure many of the old timers in the club remember Bill well.
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attach_emailAttachment (1)
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