Robert Logan Caruthers

Robert Logan Caruthers was born April 15, 1950, in Waco, Texas, and died June 5, 2025, at home in Grand Junction, CO.

His early school years were in Fresno, California, where his father ran a home for disabled children.  Later, they moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Robert lived until, some 25 years later, he would return to Fresno, California, as the new proprietor of BMW Motorcycles.

Robert met and married Martha Rawlins in 1980 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. At the time, Robert was a custom cabinet and furniture maker. His proudest job was making tables and chairs for the University of New Mexico boardroom.

Robert’s true love was riding motorcycles. He began riding at the legal age of 12, delivering for a pharmacy and daily Albuquerque Tribune.

Robert’s first BMW was a 1962 single-seater, which he purchased from a friend in Maine. When he started dating Martha, he traded it in for a 1978 R100 with a dual seat.

In 1985, Robert was approached by BMW North America about buying a dealership in Fresno, CA. Robert took over just as the first K-bikes were introduced in the US.

Over the next 18 years, Robert built a reputation for excellence in the BMW service. As a perfectionist, he put safety and reliability first. He was a man of integrity and honesty. As a result, he had customers from long distances travel to have their BMW serviced. In addition, Robert’s dealership became a California Highway Patrol service center for central California.

Robert grew to love the K-bike power, but his preference was always the boxer twin, GS model. Robert and Martha took many trips on this model, including several to the Alps, Spain, New Zealand, and the Canary Islands. His favorite rides were the backcountry dirt roads everywhere he traveled, avoiding highways and freeways. He rode in the annual LA -Barstow-Las Vegas off-road race for about a decade.

His second favorite motorcycle event was the Reg Pridmore riding school at Laguna Seca and Willow Springs. He went so many times he became an honorary guest, but never returned after moving to Colorado. He loved taking his GS with knobby tires and passing the sport bikes in the turns.

In 2001, Robert sold the BMW dealership and in 2005 moved to Grand Junction, Colorado. He continued to do technician work and dabbled in woodworking, but his kidneys were failing and his energy level plummeted. After 5 1/2 years of dialysis and multiple infections and surgeries, he received a donor kidney in October 2020.

Robert had several good years but eventually succumbed to kidney failure. It was his choice not to pursue another transplant or return to dialysis.

He was always thankful for the excellent medical care he received in Grand Junction, CO, and Salt Lake City, Utah.

Robert was known for his willingness to help others diagnose their BMW bike problem, whether over the phone or in his shop. He could spend hours sharing his adventure rides, whether through the Mojave Desert, mountain passes in Colorado, or the Italian Alps.

Besides BMW motorcycle vacations, Robert and Martha enjoyed Bluegrass and Folk music festivals. His favorite instrument was the clawhammer banjo.

Robert was a daily listener and supporter of NPR. Consider donating to your local NPR station.

Martha hopes these memories of Robert will bring a smile to your face.

Robert’s ashes will be taken to one of his favorite riding areas, the John Brown Road from Gateway to Moab.