Tommy Peter Ryser
September, 1955 – June, 2023
Tommy Peter Ryser – father, adventurer, and mechanic extraordinaire – passed away June 21, at the home of his former wife Allie, in Blaine, after a long illness. He was 67 years
of age.
Tommy’s career as a much sought-after motorcycle mechanic began in childhood, when he used his self-taught skills to fine tune the high-end European bikes of older companions in his native Viña del Mar, on the beautiful Pacific coast of Chile. As a youngster he also repaired lamps for neighborhood housewives. A lifetime love of travel took hold around the same time, when he would use coins his grandmother gave him to buy a train ticket to carry him as far as the money would take him, and then find his way back home to plan his next trip. The biggest travel adventure of his youth was when he and his older sister escaped Chile’s early-1970s political turbulence by traveling alone from Argentina to Europe via steamship to live with family members in Switzerland.
Tommy’s lifelong passion for BMW motorcycles inspired him in his early 20s to ship his beloved BMW R50/2 across the Atlantic and drive it the length of Canada, to reunite with his mother who had remarried and acquired an 80-acre farm on the outskirts of Blaine. It was while living on the farm that he met the love of his life, Spokane native Allie, at a party in Blaine and they began their 40+ years together.
During their married life Tommy and Allie built a beautiful home on rural acreage, ran a successful business for 25 years (Foreign Auto Clinic, still going strong under its present owner), and, most importantly, raised two strong, intelligent sons who now have thriving families of their own. Tommy was an exemplary father, teaching his two sons the skills by which they would earn a living as adults.
Together, he and his oldest son Andrew, built an impressive network of skateboard/ BMX ramps on their property that attracted local youngsters years before Blaine had a skateboard park. Andy credits the experience with giving him valuable carpentry skills that have served him well in adulthood. Younger son, Nick, inherited his Dad’s passion for motorcycles and things mechanical and today owns one of Bellingham’s elite auto and van repair shops.
While building their family life, Allie and Tommy managed to keep the fires burning for their shared enthusiasm for motorcyling, taking countless trips together and with groups of friends. In their younger days they hosted a number of “Ryser Rallies” at their Valley View Road property, attracting their far-flung network of two-wheeler pals to Blaine, many of whom they had met on
road trips.
The high point of Tommy’s biking career came in 1999 when he rode his BMW motorcycle from the Peace Arch all the way to his hometown of Viña del Mar, a six-month round-trip journey that he made with his good friend, the late James Luce. During his recent hospitalization, Tommy could be heard telling the nurses about his epic motorcycle trip to Chile and back.
Tommy had lived in Blaine for half a century and he will be greatly missed in the adopted hometown that he loved.
He is survived by his sons Andrew (Melody) and Nicholas (Becky), his mother Margot Chertude, brother Ron Ryser, four grandchildren and one step-grandchild. Tommy was predeceased by his father Kurt Ryser and his sister Janine.
A well-attended “Chilean wake” was held for Tommy last Friday and a celebration of his birthday is planned for mid-September. Remembrances may be made to Tommy’s favorite charity, Whatcom Hospice Foundation.
