Submitted photo Daryl Kuhnhenn rode his motorcycle during a parade down Main Avenue in Rugby. Kuhnhenn passed away in 2011 from a motorcycle accident.

Over a decade ago in Rugby, it wasn’t unusual to see Daryl Kuhnhenn at any event dedicated to raising funds or helping others.

“He was just very giving and outgoing and liked to be a part of the community,” said Ben Kuhnhenn, Daryl’s son. “He was active in the racing club, the hockey association, the Lions Club, the American Legion and he’d just give you the shirt off his back or his last dollar if he figured you needed it.”

It wasn’t unusual to see Daryl Kuhnhenn making events happen, either, when it came to causes for local veterans.

“He was a commander of the American Legion for years and he was a commander of the (Veterans of Foreign Wars) VFW when there was a post here,” said Ben.

Daryl grew up as one of nine children on his family ranch in Denbigh. He joined the Army during the Vietnam War and deployed to the war zone.

“He was there in Vietnam for a year and 76 days,” said Ben.

After finishing his tour of duty as a machine-gunner and radar base crewman, Daryl returned to North Dakota. He married Patricia Mattern in Fulda and settled in Rugby.

In the early 1970s, Daryl took a correspondence course to learn refrigeration technology. He used what he had learned to start his own business, which still serves the community today.

In his spare time, Daryl Kuhnhenn enjoyed riding his motorcycle. On a Sunday in mid-Sept. 2011, he lost control of his bike and crashed on State Highway 14 in McHenry County, passing away a day later.

The hundreds of members of local civic organizations he’d met over the years mourned his loss along with his wife Pat, son Ben and his daughters Gail Heilman and Sara Abrahamson.

As the anniversary of the crash drew near, members of the Rugby Eagles Motorcycle Club approached Ben with an idea to raise funds with a ride to honor Daryl, even though he hadn’t been a member of their club.

The annual Daryl Kuhnhenn Memorial Ride started.

“The first year of the ride, they gave all the money to the American Legion,” said Ben.

In 2013, the Daryl Kuhnhenn family started running the charity event.

“We started disbursing the money throughout the community,” said Ben.

Donations to the North Dakota Veterans’ Home and the National Cemetery in Mandan reflect Daryl Kuhnhenn’s passion for veteran’s causes.

“We give to a North Dakota-based charity that trains service dogs,” said Ben. “It’s in Jud, North Dakota. We do that through the Rugby Lions Club.”

Most charities receiving funds from the ride are located in Pierce County or its neighboring communities.

“We give scholarships in Towner, Drake and Rugby. We give to the local fire departments and food pantries and Tri-County Senior Meals,” said Ben. “Some (recipients) apply for a donation and some, we just give to them. Every year, we buy gas cards to give to the cancer patients for their travel when they receive treatment.”

The memorial ride has donated $153,000 so far.

The ride will mark its 12th year Saturday, Sept. 9. After registration and breakfast at 9 a.m. sponsored by the Rugby Volunteer Fire Department at the Rugby Eagles, the ride will begin with a parade down Main Avenue before heading to Willow City, Towner, Drake and ending in Balta, where food trucks will serve supper.

Registration is $25 per vehicle.

“Usually, the number of people we have registered is usually between the upper 200s to 300,” said Ben. “As long as people keep showing up, we’ll keep doing it.”

The ride is not limited to motorcycles. Drivers of cars are welcome, classic or not, to participate. Ben drives his dad’s restored 1968 Plymouth Roadrunner in the ride.

“The biggest thing, I say every year, is if it weren’t for the support of our community and friends and family, this would not be possible to keep doing,” said Ben. “If it wasn’t for the support of everybody, I don’t think it would have made it this long.”