Years apart, they both make it to the front cover riding motorcycles
Gerald Dowgin is featured on the cover of Vintage Japanese Motorcycle for the months of May and June. The article it supports is 46 Years with my Scrambler detailing his time with his beloved Honda bike and some mechanic tips on keeping it ship-shape. Now, this is not the first Dowgin to be photographed on a motorcycle to make it to the front cover.
Gerald’s father is on the cover of The Complete Book Of Police And Military Motorcycles by Joseph Berk. Gerald’s father Captain Ralph Dowgin’s of the NJ State Troopers photo was a favorite find in antique stores throughout the country due to the fact it depicts a police officer sitting on a Harley with an old Esso (Exxon) gas station in the background. It proved to be an iconic photo.
Not too far from the tree…
Both ended up in the legal profession. The son wrote the laws of the state working for the Office of Legislative Services and the father enforced them. Luckily, neither of them had become lawyers though. Now both of them have ended up on the front cover. One on an American made bike and the other on a Japanese roadster.
Highlights of Ralph’s career: Driving Joe Louis to the fights, solving the Hay’s murder case, and command of the NJ Turnpike. His brother commanded the Parkway and was the lead investigator in the Lindenburg kidnapping. Highlights of Gerald’s career: legislating laws on diminutive people tossing at bowling alleys and juice bars with strippers. More importantly the homestead tax credit for the state. But, now they both made it to the front cover!
Check out the article and also Gerald’s book Yes Santa! chronicling Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer during the offseason making sure children continue to believe in Santa Claus. Do you still believe? Maybe after reading Gerald’s book, you will!