A convoy of motorcycles escorted Chuck Geertz home in preparation for his funeral which will be held Saturday in Muscatine. Geertz, a veteran and founder of Healing at English River Outfitters (HERO), died after a motorcycle wreck in Kansas City last week. As Geertz, 63, was escorted Sunday to Muscatine from Kansas City, hundreds of motorcycles, many with American flags, joined the group and countless emergency responders and vehicles lined highways on the route home. Ainsworth, Columbus and Washington Fire Departments, Washington County Ambulance, and many more were among the agencies involved.

Geertz was an active duty service member for 23 years; as a United States Marine, in the United States Army, and in the Iowa National Guard. He founded HERO in 2008. The non-profit organization provides outdoor recreational activities for military veterans. In July, ground was broken for a new veteran’s lodge at HERO in rural Washington.

Julie Tate volunteers with HERO, and says there’s been an outpouring of support in honor of Geertz, nicknamed Bowtie. She tells KCII News what it was like to see the procession ride by, “Very emotional, and very proud that that many people would come out to honor him. … When we’re together with the family and the friends seeing all of the support it does get us through, but this is probably the hardest I’ve been through.” Her husband is Rob Tate the hunt coordinator at English River Outfitters, and he rode in the procession Sunday to Muscatine.

She adds that HERO will continue with the mission of helping veterans and their families. She says if you need support there’s assistance, “If you need someone to reach to you can reach out to HERO, my husband Rob Tate. I would just encourage you to contact one of them.” Rob Tate’s phone number is 319-930-2504.

The visitation for Geertz will be Wednesday 2-7 p.m. at the Iowa National Guard Armory in Muscatine with funeral services there on Saturday at 1 p.m.

See more photos of the procession at KCII Radio’s Facebook page.