FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Tonya Dreher
Executive Director
The Hope for Gus Foundation
603.464.9588
Hope for Gus Foundation Board Member Killed in Tragic Bicycle Accident
The Hope for Gus Foundation is deeply saddened to announce the untimely passing of one of their founding board members, Kent J. Wosepka of Hamilton, MA. Kent was tragically struck by a vehicle in Texas while on a cross country bike tour with his fiancé, Betsy O’Brien. He died on Oct 31 from injuries sustained in the crash.
Kent was a philanthropist, adventurer, artist, loving father, and champion of many causes. He supported Hope for Gus whole-heartedly since its inception and was an incredible source of strength and friend to the Dreher Family and their son, Gus, who suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
In 2016, Kent traveled to Morocco to run the Marathon des Sables as a charity event for Hope for Gus. The race was 160 miles across the Sahara Desert and is self-supported, with participants carrying all their food and equipment over the full distance of sand dunes, mountain trails and salt flats. There were over 1200 people participating and Kent finished ninth in the American category.
After retiring from a successful career in finance in 2017, Kent served on several boards, was an adjunct professor at Boston College, delighted in adventure and travel (often with his beloved children), and dove into his painting which has been displayed in galleries throughout the North Shore of Massachusetts. You can view his art here .
Tonya Dreher, director of HFG, remembers Kent as “ an interminable force of goodness, adventure, love and kindness.” She shared, “Kent made people feel important and loved. He was a bright light, and the world is a better place because he existed.”
Kent knew Gus Dreher from birth and was quick to support both the family after Gus’ diagnosis, and the mission of Hope for Gus to fund medical research for Duchenne. Now 16 yr old Gus adored him and says, “He really supported our family and we loved him.”
Kent’s children, Jack, Rose and Connor, have designated the Hope for Gus Foundation as one of the beneficiaries of memorial donations in his honor, for which the foundation and family are truly grateful. Additionally, the foundation will dedicate their 2022 event, Everest to End Duchenne, to Kent Wosepka. The journey to Everest Base Camp with HFG was one that Kent planned on experiencing one day. Dreher says, “We will take him with us in spirit, as we trek to raise money for a cause that Kent truly believed in.”
The Hope for Gus Foundation and the Dreher Family extend their deepest condolences to Kent’s loved ones – specifically, his children, Jack, Rose and Conner Wosepka, his life partner and soulmate Betsy O’Brien, his mother Rosalie Wosepka, and his siblings Jonalie and Marc and their families.
One of Kent’s favorite quotes is a question we should all ask ourselves:
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” -Mary Oliver
His obituary can be viewed here.
Contact: Tonya Dreher, Executive Director of HFG
#603-464-9588
About The Organization:Hope for Gus is based in Peterborough, NH and their mission is to raise research dollars and awareness of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The foundation is also committed to helping those with Duchenne and their families improve their quality of life.
To make a donation in memory of Kent, please click the link below: