Roger Grooters of Gulf Breeze dips the rear wheel of his bike in the Pacific Ocean on Sept. 10.

    A Gulf Breeze man riding his bicycle cross-country to raise awareness and funds for Gulf oil spill victims was killed Wednesday morning on State Road 20 in Bay County when he was hit by a pickup truck.

    Roger Grooters, 66, who lived in Tiger Point with his wife, Vicki, was on the final leg of his trip from Oceanside Beach, Calif., to Jacksonville when he was struck at approximately 8:55 a.m. while pedaling along State Road 20 between Ebro and State Road 77.

    The journey, which Grooters was chronicling in an Internet blog, started Sept. 10. The total distance was to be about 3,200 miles. Grooters was about 200 miles from his destination.

    Grooters was the retired executive director of Louisiana State University's Academic Center for Student Athletes.

    “The friends and family of Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church are deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Roger Grooters,” GBUMC pastor Shane Stanford said in a church news release. “He was a dear part of the GBUMC family. His commitment to this cause and to other ministries of our congregation struck a chord in the hearts of so many.

    “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Roger’s wife, Vicki, and to their family during this difficult time. We certainly continue to pray for those involved in the cause and response to this terrible accident.”

    Grooters’ wife was traveling with Roger in a support vehicle.

    A report from the Florida Highway Patrol stated that Grooters was riding a 2009 Cervelo bicycle eastbound on the paved shoulder of State Road 20. A 2006 Chevrolet pickup driven by 41-year-old Eddie R. Hogg of Molino was behind Grooters and for some reason entered the paved shoulder, striking the rear of Grooters’ bike.

     The impact knocked Grooters off his bike and into the ditch paralleling State Road 20. Hogg brought his vehicle to a controlled stop on the south shoulder of the road.

Washington County emergency medical personnel responded to the incident and pronounced Grooters deceased.

    Charges were pending further investigation.

    Grooters and his wife took a two-day break and were in Gulf Breeze this past weekend. Friends said the couple attended worship services Sunday morning at GBUMC’s Worship on the Water at Pensacola Beach.

    On Tuesday, his 21st day of riding, Grooters started in west Pensacola and ended the day 100 miles away in Ebro, northwest of Panama City. The route took him through Destin. According to his blog, Grooters’ total mileage through Tuesday was 2,179 miles. His goal was to reach Jacksonville on Saturday, where family and friends were to gather for a celebration marking the trip’s completion.

    A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 11, in the sanctuary of Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church. A private family visitation will be held at 9 a.m. Open visitation will be at 10. Immediately after the 11 a.m. service, there will be a reception in the Music Suite.

    See Grooters’ blog at: http//rogerxcountry.blogspot.com/

Read about his bicycle journey in the September 23, 2010 issue of Gulf Breeze News.