Bicyclist who fell into river dies

Mon July 30 2007
Posted Jul 30, 2007
5,609

REGISTER NEWS SERVICE July 30, 2007 Black Hawk County medical examiner Dr. Mark Bickley confirmed today that Rich Droste, 62, of Evansdale, who fell into the Wapsipinicon River in Independence during a RAGBRAI overnight stop died late Sunday night at Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo. Droste, who owned an automobile shop in Waterloo, was riding in RAGBRAI with his former son-in-law. He took a swim Thursday evening after the day's ride, and was pulled under by the current. Droste was rescued and taken to the Waterloo medical center, where he lingered in critical condition until Sunday evening.