THE RAZ REPORT:
Dudley's 35th Annual New Year's Day Run
"The Best Ride of the Year!"
~ January 1st, 2016 ~
Prepared for publication in the February 2016 issue of
Thunder Roads Magazine NorCal
... photograph by Russell Holder
The 35th Annual New Years Day Run was a somber occasion due to the passing of Tom Perkins, and yet,
it was the most attended of any of the preceding New Years Day Runs as over 400 riders poured in from near and far. See the memorial announcement
from the dealership news email broadcast of 18DEC15 in the insert.
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December 18, 2015
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Dudley Perkins Harley-Davidson/Buell
650-PERKINS (650-737-5467)
www.dpchd.com
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Tom Perkins, better known as TP, was a proud husband, father, grandfather, friend and business owner. On December 15, TP lost his battle with pancreatic cancer, at the age of 58. A Bay Area native, Tom was born in San Francisco, moved to Atherton during childhood and attended Berllermine Preparatory High School, returning to San Francisco to attend USF and to work at the family Harley Dealership under the leadership of his father, Dudley Perkins Jr..
In 1996, Tom took over ownership of Dudley Perkins Co, where he continued the family tradition as the 3rd Perkins generation. He treated his employees like family members, customers as friends. Nothing made TP more proud than having the pleasure to work alongside his wife, Janet and son Christopher, whom TP began grooming to take the reins since age 5.
For those who know Tom, they know the story of how he lost his leg: eighteen years old, riding his motorcycle he was hit by a truck in downtown San Francisco. The doctors at SF General saved his life, and to show his respect and admiration for the incredible medical team at the hospital, Tom has donated countless hours and contributions over the years, even being recognized in 2014 as a San Francisco General Heroes & Hearts Award Recipient.
Tom cherished any opportunity to discuss history of all genres - the history of motorcycles, of San Francisco, our national history, but most importantly of our military & armed forces. TP had an incredible amount gratitude and appreciation for those who put their country before themselves, making donating both time and money to various Veteran charities, events and individuals a constant priority for both himself and his company.
Tom is survived by his high school sweetheart, now wife of 37 years, Janet; his children, son Christopher & his wife Rebecca, daughter Nicole; his grandchildren Wesley and Johnny. Tom is one of 5 children, with loving siblings James and wife Jane, brother Bill and wife Glee, and caring sisters Dana & Mary and mother Virginia Perkins. Tom's father, Dudley Perkins Jr. lost his own battle with pancreatic cancer in 1997. Members of his family have shown an abundance of support over the last year to TP, his wife and his children. Tom's extended family of dedicated employees, customers and friends have helped tremendously through this time.
A reception in his honor is scheduled for January 1st at Dudley Perkins Company, South San Francisco beginning at 12pm, immediately following Tom's traditional New Year's Day Ride. All are welcome to attend and celebrate TP's incredibly rich life. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Tom's name can be sent to SF General or Wounded Warrior Project.
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Dealership:
333 Corey Way
South San Francisco, CA 94080
Open Seven Days a Week 9am-6pm
Sales 650-737-5500
Service 650-737-5510
Parts 650-737-5520
Gift Store/Motorclothes
2595 Taylor Street at North Point
San Francisco, CA 94133
Ph: (415)776-7779, Fax: (415)776-7893
Open 7 days a week, Call for store hours
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The day was sunny and brisk with a clear blue sky when we arrived at Dudley Perkins Company Harley-Davidson around 9'ish.
There were already as many riders at the dealership as is typical for the Annual New Years Day Run having parked in the dealership
parking lot and around the cul-de-sac, but, the riders continued to roll in and eventually overflowed the dealership
parking lot into the back parking area by the service department, the parking lots of the neighboring businesses were full of bikes,
and the whole cul-de-sac is packed handlebar to handlebar and down Correy Way towards Utah Ave.
Plenty of coffee and donuts, i.e., did NOT run out! Thank you very much!
The usual ride's breakfast stop and ride down the coast for a New Year's toast at Duarte's Tavern in Pescadero was cancelled in order
for riders to be able to return to the dealership in time for the memorial ceremony. At the rider's meeting, with Christopher Perkins
at the helm, an abbreviated route over to the coast and back was described. After lining up on Utah Avenue and Correy Way, a Golden
Gate HOG Chapter Road Captain blocked the Utah Ave/South Airport Boulevard intersection and they were off with Christopher Perkins in
the lead riding his dad's olive/orange shovelhead. A good five minutes of riders rolled by the patiently waiting cages and then
and several more minutes of stragglers continued to trickle onto South Airport Boulevard
Many more riders arrived at the dealership while the ride was in progress and when the riders on the ride returned, it was standing room
only in the huge tent prepared for an anticipated 400 people. Dinner was provided: your choice of salad with Italian or ranch dressing,
a roll with butter, cowboy beans, corn, bar-b-queued chicken drumstick and thigh! After dinner several of TP's family and friends came
onstage for readings and life stories - all VERY interesting and moving.
Pages from TP's personal office notepads were on the tables for folks to write something on which would be collected and bound
together. I wrote that it has been my good fortune and pleasure to work with TP over the last 6 years during which time I prepared
advertisements monthly for Thunder Roads Magazine NorCal according to his detailed description. My wife wrote of how on a New Years Day
Run several years ago, she, previously unknown to TP - just another rider, approached him at Nick's Restaurant to ask if someone at the
shop could check for her goggles which she believed she left on the parts counter. He asked for her address which she wrote on a napkin
and we had no idea whether he would remember or even find them at the shop, but two days later they arrived overnighted at our home in
West Sacramento! Quite a surprise, but what a testament to what a first class operation TP ran.
In conclusion, Christopher assurred everyone that he and the Perkins family are going to continue to run DPCHD in the tradition that TP
entrusted to them. We wish them all continued success in the coming years.
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... photograph by Russell Holder
... photograph by Russell Holder
... photograph by Russell Holder
... photograph by Russell Holder
... photograph by Russell Holder
... photograph by Russell Holder
... photograph by Russell Holder
... photograph by Russell Holder
... photograph by Russell Holder
As for me, I am looking forward to the 36th Annual New Years Day
Run in 2017, and, to quote TP, "IT'S THE BEST RIDE OF THE YEAR!"
KNUCKLEHEADS FOREVER!
Article and photographs by Russell "Raz" Holder
Would you like to see more?... go to www.russellRAZholder.com and click on the event photos link...
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