By Sara StrongThe Randy Scott Memorial Ride Saturday attracted bikers and friends of Scott and his surviving family. It also raised money for local charities. Randy Scott, Hardwick, was 55 and new to biking when he died last August 16. He had purchased his 1997 Harley Davidson Road King just months before dying while out on a ride.The accident happened on a Saturday when then South Dakota Congressman and former governor Bill Janklow drove through a rural Moody County, S.D., intersection, at 71 miles per hour, striking Scott.Scott was driving behind his friend, Terry Johnson, when Janklow ran the stop sign. The accident aftermath, — with Janklow sentenced to 100 days in jail and the courts agreeing to wipe the felony from his record in three years — has angered and frustrated many.While some at the ride were outspoken about ideas of injustice or lack of care for motorcycles on the road, the overall theme was focused on Scott.Marcella said, "It couldn’t have been a more beautiful day. It was so nice out."The turnout was less than hoped for Saturday, but the mood was cheerful and participants said they enjoyed themselves."Today is worse than most," Marcella said Monday, the first anniversary of Scott’s death.But Saturday, her spirits were higher when she was surrounded by people greeting her, hugging her, and offering words of kindness."It means a lot to have so many people come to support Randy," Marcella said. She goes to her son’s grave once a week. And she goes as often as she can to the scene of the accident."I just think of him there and remember his life," she said.Scott graduated from Luverne High School in 1967. He graduated from Pipestone Vocational School in 1968. He joined the U.S. Army on Jan. 21, 1969, and was honorably discharged on Oct. 20, 1970. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. Scott was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Hardwick. He was an active member of the Hardwick Fire Department from 1983 to 2003, serving as fire chief and for the past eight years, as assistant fire chief. He was also a past commander of the Arthur Moeller Legion Post #478 in Hardwick. It’s unknown whether there will be another ride in Scott’s name next year. Proceeds that will go to local charities haven’t been tallied yet.A civil suit against Janklow is still pending.
