Kenneth Rosskopf

A body in motion came to rest on August 22, 2025 with the passing of Kenneth Alan Rosskopf, age 85, of Decatur, Georgia.

September 2nd, 1939 (when a loaf of bread was 8 cents and a gallon of gas was 15) Ken was born to Robert and Mildred Rosskopf, lovingly known as Pappa and Momo, in Los Angeles, California. "Kenny" was the youngest of three kids - Dot and Don were his beloved older siblings, themselves amazing parents, grandparents, and aunt and uncle to many.

Ken remained in Los Angeles throughout his youth, earning degrees in economics and then law from the University of Southern California. After college, he moved to Hermosa beach where he met several lifelong friends and nurtured his passions for surfing and sailing. It was also in Hermosa Beach where Ken would marry his high school and college sweetheart, Julie and have their two sons, Erik and Chris.

His passion for sailing would take him to the Caribbean when he had the opportunity to help a friend deliver a boat to the Virgin Islands in 1968. Ken fell in love with the islands, returned to the states, and promptly declared that the family was moving to St. Croix. And so they did. They packed what would fit into the family station wagon, sold, or gave away the rest and embarked on the cross-country drive to Florida, where they would catch a boat headed for the Caribbean.

A prime example of the adventure, small or large, that Ken so craved.

Ken opened a law office in downtown Christiansted and bought an orange Volkswagen Thing that always had his surfboard hanging out the back. He quickly became known on the island as the "Surfing Lawyer."

Ken bought a speedy Dick Newick - designed trimaran aptly named Viti-Viti, a polynesian name meaning lively and energetic - a perfect fit for Ken! He sailed Viti-Viti throughout the Caribbean and was untouchable in local regattas, often with eldest son Erik as his first mate.

On St. Croix, Ken would meet another group of friends who shared his zest for life, including an unrestrained Austrian by the name of Horst Lindemann, who quickly became his partner in many escapades. The two raced Hobie Cats, representing the Virgin Islands in the Hobie Cat world championships. The two also imported the very first Windsurfers to the island.

Ken's many other adventures included obtaining his pilot's license and island hopping throughout the Lesser Antilles, competing in triathlons, open ocean swimming, chasing hurricane swells, and dabbling in hang-gliding.

Ken and Julie divorced in 1978, and it would be some years before Ken met his current love, Linda. He was chaperoning a swim team trip to the states, and one night after the swimmers were tucked in bed, hotel halls quiet, Ken and the other chaperons saw it fit to go out dancing! That's when Ken and Linda first laid eyes on each other, at Confetti's on Roswell Rd. The rest is

history, as they say. Linda soon visited St. Croix and they embarked on a whirlwind romance and wed in 1984 on St. Croix in Robert Oppenheimer's vacation home.

Thus began Ken's second chapter. Ken and Linda settled down in Decatur. Georgia, where he met more lifelong friends and where he and Linda raised two more children, Joey and Anna. Being landlocked for the first time in his life, Ken went all-in on cycling, winning several Masters state and national titles. As the Cold War ended he even traveled to Russia to represent the U.S in a goodwill race, where he won the road race, working with two Russian riders in a breakaway, before out-sprinting them at the end.

In Decatur, Ken became the bike guru of sorts. For neighbors and friends it was the go-to backyard for free bike repair. On the competitive side of things, he supported and created local junior racing clubs and introduced dozens of kids to the sport. One particular summer involved a somewhat ill-conceived road trip deep into Quebec in pursuit of a bike race. Five teenagers loaded into the Ford Aerostar, equipment trailer in tow, Ken at the wheel.

Ken's law practice evolved to follow his enthusiasm for cycling. In Decatur he joined forces with Bruce Hagen, and they soon became leading experts in bike law advocacy. Along the way, he contributed to guides that shaped how cyclists, drivers, and law enforcement understand the rules of the road. He believed bicycles could change lives and advocated tirelessly for accessibility, inclusion, and safety. He founded Decatur Yellow Bikes, a program that refurbished hundreds of bikes to get them back into the hands of the community.

At 80 years young Ken suffered and fought his way back from a traumatic brain injury. Within a year (and despite the protests of many) he was back on his bike, back on his motorcycle, living his way. The man could not be stopped.

Ken treasured his family, friends, and freedoms and never stopped nurturing those passions. He was out riding in the final hours of his final day. An athlete to the end, and an inspiration to many. He was never going to go gently or on anyone else's terms. Ken, Kenny, Dad, Papa, Pops, thank you for leaving your mark on us.

A celebration of his life will be held on October 11th, 3-5 pm at the following address:

The Oak House

2855 Washington St

Avondale Estates, GA 30002