Daniel Michael Stewart, age 34, died instantly in a vehicular traffic accident on Sunday,  July 12, 2020, in Forest Grove, Oregon caused by a driver failing to yield the right-of-way.

An avid motorcyclist, photographer, and outdoorsman, Mr. Stewart completed many rides in and around New York State, worked at various motorcycle dealerships and workshops, and organized his own photography company named Velocity Photoworks, LLC. He had just finished his 5,500-mile cross-country trip, intending to live and conduct his work in Portland.

He was a graduate of Berne-Knox-Westerlo schools and went on to earn a certification in motorcycle repair. Having gained a reputation for riding, motorcycle repairs and maintenance, and motorcycle safety, he worked for a number of motorcycle-related businesses including Max BMW and Ducati New York. He also taught motorcycle safety courses with the New York State Motorcycle Safety Basic Rider Course program and worked as a photographer for a variety of motorcycle races.

His last Instagram entry within hours of his death was the following:

“As I flip through my trip photos it seems like such a long time ago that I set off to cross the country by motorcycle. Each day has so much to process as you journey across a country. Despite every day blending into the next I did a good job of keeping track of what day it was, not that it really mattered.

“I spent a lot of time in the saddle watching the landscape change from one mile to the next. Each day getting farther from what I know and more comfortable being on the road. After days of a particular rhythm I didn’t feel disappointed as I approached my final destination. Rather, I felt satisfied that I was able to make such a journey. Happy that I could maintain the proper attitude to make it through unscathed. Once I came to the end of my journey I realized it wasn't the end. This is only a stop along the way.

“After three days off the road my mind rapidly returned to thoughts of travel and exploration. After two weeks off the road I am still contemplating my next trip and how to make it happen. Where will I go and how long will I be on the road? How will I finance the trip? Can I devise a way to stay on the road for longer periods? Do I even want to be on the road for longer than one month? Lots to ponder and lots of time to figure things out. But this time I will not linger too long.”

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Daniel Michael Stewart is survived by his parents, Mary Liz and Paul Stewart, and three siblings, Ben, Sarah, and Joel Stewart, as well as by an aunt and uncle, Meg Walter and Mike Gatrell, and cousin Jed Touhey, all of Portland, Oregon, and many other cousins and friends.

Memorial messages may be left at www.altamontenterprise.com/milestones.

A memorial fund established in Daniel Stewarat’s memory is accepting donations at https://www.gofundme.com/f/memorial-fund-for-the-family-of-daniel-stewart. 

Donations to the memorial fund can also be accepted by Paul and Mary Stewart at 54 Bertha St., Albany, NY, 12209.

A memorial event will be planned with details to be determined. Communication is best facilitated through Paul Stewart's Facebook page.