We lost another brother last night. Roy “Wrongway” Semrau from Chapter 71 was killed instantly in a motorcycle accident in Canton Ohio. His wife Kate “Special K” Semrau was also on the bike and is in critical condition with head and leg injuries.
Wrongway will be truly missed. He was a loving husband and father, a loyal Boozefighter, and one of the funnest guys you could ever wish to meet.
We will try to provide an update on Special K’s condition and funeral arrangements for Wrongway as soon as possible.
Sincerest condolences to Wrongway’s family and all of Chapter 71 from Chapter 23.
*** UPDATE Sunday November 8th 3:00pm ***
Kate’s condition has been upgraded from critical to stable but she is still in the surgical intensive care unit. She is heavily sedated, but the doctors are hopeful she will regain consciousness in the near future. Her leg surgery went well last night. They rebuilt her leg with rods and pins and the doctors feel she will most likely be able to walk again after a long recovery period.
Flowers can be sent to Kate after she gets out of intensive care. There is an on-site florist at the hospital that can be reached at 330.363.4937.
If you wish to make your own arrangements for having flowers delivered please send them to:
Kate Semrau c/o
Aultman Hospital
2600 Sixth Street, S.W.
Canton, Ohio
44710
Wrongway’s younger brother Ryan has asked us to put out the word to all Boozefighters that he is looking for parts for an ‘06 Softail Standard to rebuild Wrongway’s bike. He is specifically looking for front end components, a rear wheel and a set of tins. His intentions are to restore the bike and have a custom paint job done to honor his brother before giving the bike to Wrongway’s two sons. Please contact Ryan at ryansemrau@yahoo.com if you can be of assistance.
*** UPDATE Monday November 9th 1:00pm ***
The following was published in the Akron Beacon Journal this morning:
Motorcyclist killed, wife injured in Stark County crash
By Beacon Journal staff
A 36-year-old Mentor man died Saturday evening when the motorcycle he was operating ran into the back of a parked pickup truck in North Canton.
Roy L. Semrau II, of Glen Lodge Road, suffered head trauma when his motorcycle hit the truck in the 300 block of Lindy Lane NW at 5:43 p.m., said Harry Campbell, chief investigator for the Stark County Coroner’s Office.
Semrau’s wife, Kathleen A. Semrau, was a passenger on the back of the motorcycle. She was transported to Canton’s Aultman Hospital where she remained Monday. Her condition is not known.
Neither rider was wearing a helmet, police said.
Several people witnessed the crash, including Semrau’s father, who was riding a motorcycle behind the victim’s motorcycle, Campbell said.
Semrau was transported to Mercy Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 6:13 p.m., the coroner’s office said.
North Canton police are investigating the accident. Stark County Coroner P.S. Murthy will conduct an autopsy this morning, Campbell said.
*** UPDATE Monday November 9th 7:00pm ***
We received the following from Ryan today:
“I don’t know how to get on the BFMC site that you put my e-mail on, but could you put on there that all the phone calls and e-mails we have been getting from the guys all over the country means a lot to us? And thank everyone for their support they are showing.”
*** UPDATE Monday November 9th 8:00pm ***
Wrongway’s funeral will be held Thursday November 12th from 11:00am to 1:00pm at the following location:
Reed Funeral Home
801 Pittsburg Ave NW
North Canton, OH
(330) 477-6721
www.reedfuneralhome.com
The family has asked that people dress in their normal biker attire and that club members wear their colors. Boozefighters who ride to the funeral will be asked to participate in the procession to the cemetery and assist in burying Wrongway’s casket.
There will be a gathering at Wrongway’s parent’s home after the burial – everybody is welcome to attend.
A number of Boozefighters are staying at the Holiday Inn Canton. The rate is $89.00 per night. Click here to make a reservation.
You can read Wrongway’s obituary and sign the guestbook for his family by clicking here.
*** UPDATE Monday November 9th 9:00pm ***
Kate was brought out of her sedation today, but is still in the intensive care unit. She is conscious and was able to sit in a chair for a short period of time. For the time being the family and her doctors have asked that nobody visits her in the hospital. When she is moved to a normal room and can see visitors and receive flowers we will provide an update.
*** UPDATE Tuesday November 10th 6:00pm ***
Kate had surgery today to implant a filter in her abdomen to prevent blood clots from reaching her heart, or lungs. In six months the filter will be removed when the risk of blood clots from her injured leg will have subsided. After today’s surgery Kate was moved out of intensive care and into a normal room. They had her up and walking for a brief period of time even though she is in intense pain.
You can now send flowers to her at the address and room number below:
Kate Semrau Room 5566
Aultman Hospital
2600 Sixth Street, S.W.
Canton, Ohio
44710
Due to the extent of her injuries, which includes; two broken cheek bones, multiple lacerations, extensive bruising and her right lower leg which was turned sideways and almost lost the doctors are still advising that she not receive visitors.
We will provide more updates as Kate’s condition improves.
*** UPDATE Saturday November 14th 10:00am ***
Roy “Wrongway” Semrau was laid to rest Thursday November 12th in Canton Ohio. Over 200 people attended his service including 120 Boozefighters from over ten different states, as well as Ontario Canada. 37 Boozefighters rode in Wrongway’s procession even though many had to travel from as far away as Tennessee in temperatures barely above freezing. At Wrongway’s burial green and white shovels were provided as each club member helped bury his casket.
Kate “Special K” Semrau was not released from the hospital and was unable to attend the funeral and burial. However a live video feed was provided, so she could she view the entire service over an Internet connection. Sadly her long road to recovery now begins.
*** UPDATE Saturday November 14th 3:00pm ***
Kate was transferred from the hospital in Canton OH to a rehab center in her home town of Mentor late Friday afternoon. By all accounts she is doing much better – both physically and emotionally. She will undergo six weeks of rehab before being sent home.
Cards and flowers can be sent to:
Kate Semrau c/o
Heartland of Mentor
8200 Mentor Hills Dr
Mentor, OH
44060-7861
The phone number for the rehab center is: (440) 256-1496
We will try to provide another update on Kate’s condition early next.
Recently:
- Tom Bennett “Boozefighter Samson” plans to bench press a full-dress Harley
- After father’s death, ‘Irish Ed’ is back preaching to his flock: Bikers
- Cheers
- Lost Brother Roy “Wrongway” Semrau
- Lost Brother William “Bones” Greene
- Boozfighter Down
- Boozefighter Down
- Boozefighter Down
- Chapter 71 DAV Benefit 2009
- Run To The Wall 2009
November 9th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
I knew Roy from High School. He was an excellent athlete and very fast! Godspeed, Roy…..
November 9th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Sadness just fills my heart and I had hoped, when I heard, that the person was wrong. I will so miss you and I bet you never knew how special I thought you were. I’m sad I never told you. I will remember you by your smile and grin. I remember how much you said you loved your boys. I knew your birthday was coming up. I remember I joked that I’d meet ya in the old folks home & I’d push your wheelchair really fast because we loved to ride. I’m happy you met Katie. She was your girl. The girl for you. I finally read the song lyrics today by Tim McGraw. You told me “Angel Boy” was a favorite song of yours. No one would have guessed unless they knew you. Roy…I’m sure you have your wings as God forgives all and when I needed to feel better about myself you helped me. May you R.I.P. and your family is in my prayers. I’ll check in on Katie for you. I’ll never forget you and miss you forever & you’ll fly with me every time I take out the scooter. “Lil’ Lisa” aka Ginger
November 9th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
All of your brothers in Dirty xXx have you in our hearts, thoughts and Prayers. We (Dirty xXx) too lost a brother (CROWBAR) from our chapter just last week and are still trying to find our way through. Our thoughts and prayers also go out to the families and friend’s that have also experianced the loss.
And I personally would like to say to Special K, that you are also in my heart and prayers and will continue to be.
I am not a very religous man by any means and nor will I pretend. But I think if there was anytime as deserving of a prayer it would be now.
I would just like to say For all my brothers lost, I wish you safe passage.
For all their families, I wish you all the love and strength there is to give.
We’re not just Boozefighters. We’re Sons, Fathers, Grandfathers, Brothers, Uncles, Nephews and friend’s. Please keep all of them in your hearts as I will.
Sincerely,
Dirty xXx Keith
November 10th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
Sending thoughts & prayers to all the loved Roy & will miss him so much. God Bless.
A fellow BAHS classmate of 1992.
November 11th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Roy…I will miss you so much. I’m glad I got to meet a guy like you. When I first met you and Kate I said to my self I truly adore you both. I couldn’t believe it when i heard this sad situation. My prayers are with you and your family, along with every one else who works at Spuddy’s. You will be missed, please watch over your family,your beloved Kate (as I will do) and your friends in BF all chapters!
Your friend and bartender,Mindy!