Our good friend and fellow Hen Mike Pearce passed away suddenly at the age of 54. Mike was a dedicated school teacher and counselor for thirty years and a devoted father as well as a kind and compassionate man. He was an avid cyclist – a strong rider and an exemplary Hen with a great sense of humor and engaging smile. . Many Biking Blue Hens would ride with Mike on weekends and usually stop at Buckley’s near the end of the ride to ward off dehydration. Mike would have as much fun as the rest of us during these stops but at least once a month, he would finish the ride and miss the stop for liquid refreshment in order to visit a paraplegic he had befriended. Twice a month, he would work the Friday overnight shift of the Crisis Hotline for Contact Delaware. Mike also called every morning a 90 year old man who live alone just to make sure everything was alright.

Mike participated in several RAGBRAI adventures and we had come to expect to hear his patented response to many outrageous situations (and some not so outrageous) and that was “Sweet Jesus”.

In fitting tribute to Mike who brought so much to our lives and those of others, we have christened the annual Hen Christmas Ride in honor of Mike. The ride precedes our annual fundraising social. Holiday costumes are encouraged for the ride and social. The ride and social are held in early December in Wilmington. Mike will also be remembered by a decal on the club’s big blue bus “The Hen Haus”.

Proceeds from the social will be donated in Mike’s name to his favorite charity - the Delaware Foundation Reaching Citizens With Cognitive Disabilities.