IN
THE
WIND
P24
TEXAS TORNADO BOOT CAMP
INSTRUCTOR PASSES
T
exas Tornado Boot Camp
instructor Steven Bodak has
tragically passed away following
an accident with a car while cy-
cling in his hometown of Willis,
Texas, Wednesday, August 3.
Bodak, 44, was hit from
behind while riding at dusk and
was pronounced brain dead
shortly after arriving at the Con-
roe Regional Medical Center in
Conroe. He was placed on life
support as an organ donor, the
decision to switch it off being
made at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday,
August 6.
Bodak was one of the Texas
Tornado Boot Camp's most
important members and a close
friend of Colin Edwards for over
20 years. A respected builder,
Bodak was responsible for con-
structing the many buildings and
fixtures that make up the camp
and also helped out as a riding
coach for younger or inexperi-
enced campers.
"Bodak is an organ donor,"
said Colin Edwards in a state-
ment. "Even with his passing,
he gives others the opportunity
of life. Steven will save up to
eight lives and help many, many
more. He will certainly be their
miracle. We have all strived and
will continue to strive to be the
man that he was."
Tributes from the MotoGP
paddock and various other
race series have flowed in from
around the world for Bodak,
with British Superbike rid-
ers James Ellison and James
Rispoli both running Bodak's #4
at last weekend's Brand's Hatch
round.
"He was the kindest, gen-
tlest, giving person I have ever
had the pleasure to know," said
Edwards' wife, Aly. "He never
had a bad word to say about
anyone, but would fiercely stand
up and protect those he loved.
He was one of the good ones.
Good to the core."
Steven Bodak is survived by
his wife, Season Bodak, son
Thane, father Steve, mother
Marcia as well as sisters Steph-
anie Nicholson and Stacey
Scott.
Cycle News sends its deep-
est condolences to Steven's
many family and friends. We
had the wonderful pleasure of
enjoying Bodak's company on
our many visits to the TTBC and
will deeply miss him.
A GoFundMe account has
been set up to contribute to the
funeral and to assist the Bodak
family. If you would like to do-
nate, click HERE. CN
Steven Bodak.
January 24, 1972 — August 6, 2016.
