March 12/08 11:07 am - Trek Founder Dies

Posted by Editor on 03/12/08
 

Trek Founder Dies

Richard "Dick" Burke, the founder of Trek Bicycles, has died at the age of 73. Burke died in hospital on Monday night due to complications from heart surgery, according to family members.

Burke founded Trek in 1976, in Waterloo, Wisconsin, and the company never strayed far from its roots, with the majority of its high end bikes still built in the United States (including Waterloo). From its small beginnings, Trek grew to become the largest U.S. bicycle manufacturer, with $700 million (U.S.) in sales from the Trek, Lemond, Gary Fisher, Klein and Bontrager brands.

For most cycling enthusiasts, Trek is closely associated with Lance Armstrong, who rode Trek bikes for all of his 7 Tour de France victories; as did Alberto Contador in last year's Tour, and Levi Leipheimer in this year's Amgen Tour of California.

However, Burke also heavily supported advocacy, and Trek is involved with IMBA and Bikes Belong, as well as the recently announced 1 World 2 Wheels initiative.

Dick Burke is survived by his wife Camille, five children (including son John Burke, who is the President of Trek), and nine grandchildren.