If you have ever ridden on the trails in Northern Oconto County, specifically near the townships of Lakewood or Townsend, or in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest area, chances are you were on a trail patrolled and loved by the late Roger Steinbach. At the time of his death, Roger was the vice president of the Hidden Bear Trail ATV Club in addition to being an active member in many other local clubs, including the Wisconsin ATV Association. Roger was also one of the state’s most active volunteers in the Ride Smart Trail Patrol Ambassador program. Rogers’s effort in opening trails and routes in the Lakewood and Townsend area opened the way for economic development in the townships. With all of his involvement, the Wisconsin ATV Association honored Roger with dedicated every November 2nd as well as an annual award called the, “Roger Steinbach Trail Guardian of Excellence Award,” which will be presented to Trail Patrol Ambassadors who go above and beyond the call of duty.
Roger Steinbach worked as a Heavy Equipment Operator, but often spent his free time riding his ATV with friends and family. Roger had a profound love for this sport which led him to become involved in, and eventually an officer, of the Hidden Bear Trail ATV Club. Roger also participated in meetings and events for the Wisconsin ATV Association (WATVA). “Roger would often show up at various land management meetings involving ATV’s and really provide a great positive image to the entire sport,” president of Wisconsin ATV Association Randy Harden said at an interview.
The Ride Smart Trail Patrol Ambassador program works under a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and provides a “neighborhood watch” program for our ATV/UTV trails in Wisconsin. Roger was among the state’s most dedicated volunteers, offering much of his personal time patrolling for the program. His wife Kathy continues to patrol the trails in his honor. She plans to ride and patrol with other members of the Hidden Bear Trail ATV Club in the coming years.
Economic impacts to local tourism are vital to communities that allow ATV and UTV traffic. Roger was committed to expanding trails, opening additional routes to connect other trails and businesses to the current trail system. The trail dedicated to him would not have been opened had it not been for Roger’s efforts. Around the state, more and more communities are opening their roads and giving trail access, attracting many out of town visitors.
The Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association has implemented a new annual award to be presented to members of the volunteer trail patrol program who go above and beyond the call of duty. This award, called the Roger Steinbach Trail Guardian of Excellence Award, was presented to Roger’s family during the association’s annual meeting in 2012. Next year, the award will go to another dedicated member who will continue Rogers’s legacy.
On May 5th 2012 WATVA President Randy Harden, along with other WATVA representatives attended a trail memorial dedicated to Roger. You can watch this video on WATVA’s YouTube channel here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onj2-_hUAEY&feature=plcp or by clicking play below:
Contact:
Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association
3321 Behrens Parkway
Sheboygan, WI 53081
Phone: 920.694.0583
Fax 888.649.0676
www.watva.org
info@watva.org
Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association
3321 Behrens Parkway
Sheboygan, WI 53081
Phone: 920.694.0583
Fax 888.649.0676
www.watva.org
info@watva.org
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