traditional motorcycle riders and drawing an entirely new generation of bikers into the mix of motorcycle enthusiasts. By the mid-1970s, more people were showing an interest in riding motorcycles in North Dakota and western Minnesota, especially those who had lake cabins and liked to go camping in the summertime. Around 1991, Del and Renee wanted to expand their Harley- Davidson dealership to sell more golf carts and accessories. <strong>The</strong>y bought the building in West Fargo, on the frontage road off Main Avenue, where Harley- Davidson is still located today. And a few years ago, Del increased the back side of the building to include an entire line of Harley-Davidson clothing. Del & Renee Photo submitted by: Del HOfer SEE THE WORLD ON A HARLEY Sixty-two years later, “See the world on a Harley” could easily be Del Hofer’s family slogan. Although he fell in love with motorcycles at age 14, it was Del’s first Harley-Davidson at the age of 16 that truly solidified the marriage he and Harley-Davidson would have. One’s destiny is not always in one’s hands. Some go with the flow and others merely drift along with the waves of letting life happen to them. Del Hofer did the opposite. He followed his passion, while applying his mechanical aptitude with his innate salesmanship. <strong>The</strong> tri-combo led to traveling the world to places such as New Zealand, a favorite spot to tour for Renee and Del and one they made a “sister city” with an entire country to bond with for present and future riders. 34 Del speaks of a creed of honor he learned from his father while on the farm in Huron: “If you borrow a bushel of oats, always return it plus one.” In the 42 years Del and Renee Hofer have lived and owned the only Harley-Davidson dealership in the Fargo/Moorhead area, they have indeed given back, paid it forward and come to the aid of many charitable institutions, not in the thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, but with millions of dollars. In particular, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Children’s Miracle Network have been huge recipients. Several other benefactors are Adopt a Family every Christmas season, the West Fargo Youth Hockey Association, the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, Red River Zoo, the Rape & Abuse Foundation, Families of Deployed Veterans; Humanity for Animals at NDSU, the F-M Acro Team, Riders Educational Motorcycle Training, and the Salvation Army. And the list doesn’t end there. Del Hofer has spent the last 53 years promoting Harley-Davidson motorcycles as a way of life. For Del, Harley-Davidson represents the biggest, longest-lasting and best. Del, Renee and their two sons are the embodiment of a family that doesn’t seek the limelight or fanfare, and who have continued to give to their community time and time again. Among the many achievements Del Hofer has made in his 78 years of living life to the fullest was being inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame. For anyone who has not experienced Sturgis, think of it as winning the Oscars and the Grammys at the same time. When asked what he believes makes a “good life,” Del Hofer replies, “Knowing that you get out of life what you are willing to put into it. <strong>Life</strong> doesn’t hand out freebies; it all takes work.” Del and Renee Hofer sold the Harley-Davidson dealership recently with plans to do a bit more traveling, and Del has a passel of antique motorcycles he’s been storing over the years that he’d like to bring back to life.
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