‘True friend’: Tributes flow for American motorcyclist Steve Dishman

An American motorcyclist’s Tasmanian holiday has ended in tragedy after he was killed in a crash while taking part in a pre-1970s motorcycle rally. TRIBUTES >>

An American motorcyclist’s Tasmanian adventure has ended in tragedy after he was killed in a crash on the East Coast while taking part in the British Motorcycle Club of Tasmania’s annual Tassie Tour rally.

Steve Dishman is being remembered by loved ones as a ‘true friend’ and loving husband, father and grandfather.

Hailing from Houston, Texas the 70-year-old was the chairman of construction company Brookstone L.P. where he was described by workmates as a ‘champion for the commercial construction industry’.

Dishman had just celebrated his 45th year at the company after joining in 1977.

“Steve was a true friend, mentor, leader, and so much more,” the company shared in a Facebook post.

“He put people first and always seemed to know when and how to share his wisdom with others.”

Interim Dean of the College of Architecture at Texas A&M University, Patrick Suermann, took to LinkedIn to also share his condolences.

“Steve was the Chairman of Brookstone, a past leader of AGC Houston as well as the national level of the Associated General Contractors of America and leaves a legacy of improving our profession to the next generation of leaders of the capital projects industry.”

An obituary shared online said that Dishman’s loved ones had been left “devastated and shattered” by his completely unexpected passing.

Riders gather for the British Motorcycle Club of Tasmania’s annual Tassie Tour rally. Picture: www.tassie.tour.info

Tasmania Police said they believe Dishman’s motorcycle left the Tasman Highway at Goshen between the turn off to Goulds Country and the fish factory after failing to negotiate a left-hand bend on Tuesday around 12:15pm.

According to British Motorcycle Club secretary and rally organiser, Casey Overeem, early indications were that he had suffered a medical episode.

“It was not a high-speed accident, it was slow speed,” he said.

“An oncoming vehicle witnessed the accident and said the rider didn’t even attempt to take the corner, he just went straight ahead while upright.

“His bike was in very good order, we scrutineer the bikes.”

Dishman was riding a 1950s-era motorcycle at the time and was on his own when the accident occurred, as many riders had stopped for lunch in St Helens after staying overnight in Bicheno.

He was found in a critical condition and sadly died a short time later on the ninth day of the pre-1970s motorcycle rally.

The tour, which commenced on March 20, came to an end a day later at Ulverstone.

Dishman was a motorcycle enthusiast who according to his online bio loved to hike, bike and had completed more than 400 skydiving jumps in college.