Siouxland Internationally Known Bicyclist Dies

Mon April 07 2008
Posted Apr 7, 2008
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A Siouxland man known internationally as a bicycle racing champion has died, doing what he loved. 56-year old Randy Van Zee of Sheldon, Iowa was killed Friday evening when he was struck from behind by a car on county road B-14 near Sheldon. The driver was 21-year old Sarah Johnson of Archer, Iowa. Various sources say the sun was low on the horizon and the driver may not have been able to see Van Zee as she came up over the hill. The Iowa State Patrol is investigating. Johnson was cited for not having insurance and failing to stop in a safe distance. We first introduced you to Randy Van Zee nearly four years ago. He's made headlines, finishing RAGBRAI in just 25 hours and riding cross country in 11 days. And in addition to his love for biking, Van Zee loved to help those less fortunate than him. Randy Van Zee, June 2004 "And with my age, I think I've got to train harder." Riding along News Channel Four's Al Joens in June of 2004, Randy Van Zee talks about his dedication for the "Race Across America" Van Zee, "It's the ultimate physical challenge." Van Zee rode from California to New Jersey, raising money for Rock Valley based, Hope Haven International Ministries, which send wheelchairs to people in underprivileged countries. It's something his youngest daughter Rachel Carlson says he lived for. Rachel Carlson, "Most of us just see someone who's disabled, and he saw so much life and so much good. He raised over $14,000 to people all over the world that are improvised." Pastor Marvin Lindley, United Methodist Church of Sheldon, IA, "He had an accident, he died doing what he loved. I know when he trained for the ride across the United States he put in about 9 hours a day." Van Zee could usually be found biking around Northwest Iowa where he was born and raised. He also could be found playing with his grandchildren. Carlson, "He lived for his grandchildren, he just absolutely loved them, he was so fun and that's one of the things that's just so hard, they'll know him through us and his spirit will never die." Lindley, "He was the type of person when he put his mind into doing something, that he went all the way. Carlson, "We're just not grieving, the whole community is grieving , it's just a huge loss for so many people because he's done so many wonderful things for everyone around so he's going to be greatly missed." Fellow bikers say Randy had an iron-willed desire to make it to the finish line. Van Zee is survived by his wife, his mother, three children and grandchildren. His funeral is Tuesday in Sheldon.