
Amanda Hill will always remember Kenneth Bergheger as one of her motorcycle riding buddies, as a joyous individual, as a family man and a uniter.
Mostly, she’ll remember the Hahnville man as Pony Boy.
“That was his biker name,” said Hill, a member of the Vicious Ryderz Motorcycle Club that Bergheger co-founded. “He was loved by everyone … just an extraordinary man. He lit up every room he entered.”
Bergheger was involved in a motorcycle accident in New Orleans recently and did not survive. He was 46. Though his life was tragically cut short, it was one that was celebrated and remembered fondly by the numerous people who attended a special balloon release
in his honor held by the Ryderz club.
“It was amazing. So many people came out,” Hill said. “It’s almost a shock to see that many people, but it’s also not surprising, just because of who he was. People still say to us, ‘Every time I see Pony Boy, he stood up and greeted me. He stood up and gave me a hug. He
always had a smile on his face.’” Hill said. “And I think that’s why there was such a huge turnout for him. He was just a friendly person, so friendly to so many people. It’s just who he was, and you don’t really get that from people these days.”
The single motorcycle accident occurred Sept. 12 and Bergheger was laid to rest in his native Keokuk, Iowa on Oct. 26. Bergheger was very proud to be a founding member and vice president of the Vicious Ryderz, a close-knit group of riders that embrace one another as family. The Hahnville-based club also embraced its community, taking up good causes – such as recently organizing the Glam 4 Good collection drive and giveaway, focusing on gathering donations of lightly worn prom attire and bridesmaids dresses to give to students in need of an assist. When Bergheger passed away, the club raised money to go toward funeral expenses and for his family.
He first began riding motorcycles at the age of 14. That was the beginning of a lifelong love for Bergheger.
“He was really proud of his motorcycles,” Hill said. “He loved everything about this.”
A native of Keokuk, he moved to Louisiana in 2006 and quickly embraced his new home community in St. Charles Parish.
Hill said Bergheger was the man to go to when something needed to get done.
“He was our go-to person. Anything we ever needed, he was the one to call,” said Hill. “He was that level-headed person where, if there was a little argument, he was the one to kind of get everyone back on
track. He was very good at keeping the peace, keeping things cordial, keeping things fair.”
As much as he loved riding, Bergheger, above all else, loved his family.
“He loved his kids, his granddaughter,” Hill said of the father of three. “He was a very hard-working family man.”