Preschool’s Bike Path Dedicated

Larry Bickmann, his friends and students and staff of the Moorpark Early Childhood Center dedicated a new bike path in honor of one special boy.

Bickmann lost his wife, Jacqueline, and 4-year-old son, Garett, in an accident two years ago. Since then, Bickmann has honored their memories by supporting Garett’s former preschool.

Children with special needs like Garett--who his father described as “high-functioning autistic”--will use the circular path within the school’s playground.

Money for the path came from a fund that was established through United Way of Ventura County. The money was raised after Bickmann’s co-workers at GTE offered to help.

“One of the gals under my supervision talked to some of the other workers and asked them if they wanted to contribute,” Bickmann said.

The drive resulted in collection of more than $4,300--enough to build the bike path.

Bickmann said he looks forward to watching children use the path. Keeping a small connection to the school where his son was happy helps him deal with his loss, he said.

“It’s something where I don’t have an opportunity to talk to a lot of family and friends about it,” said Bickmann, who moved to Newbury Park with Angela, his 3-year-old daughter. “It’s a difficult thing to bring up. But [the school’s] where he was, so I go there occasionally to put flowers at the oak tree there. I need a connection.”