'Go Big': Hundreds Attend Memorial for Mark Bixby

The life of Mark Bixby was remembered Friday in a trio of unconventional and classic memorials befitting the iconoclast: a mass bike ride that closed a bridge, a traditional service but on sand, and a group paddle-out in which flowers were peacefully floated on Alamitos Bay. The ceremonies summed up his life, spirit and favorite saying: "Go Big or Go Home."

Bixby, 44, was one of five people killed over a week ago, on March 16, 2011, when the twin-engine plane they were in crashed shortly after takeoff at the Long Beach Airport. A sixth passenger, Mike Jensen of Naples, survived and remains in serious condition.

The Bixby events began with a round-trip cycling memorial ride to the Gerald Desmond Bridge Friday morning, which was closed for one hour, to dedicate a bike path in his honor. 

Hundreds of people arrived Friday morning at the U.S. Sailing Center for the second event of the day to honor Bixby, who comes from the family that ranched and helped develop Long Beach. There is a neighborhood named for them - Bixby Knolls.

Overlooking Alamitos Bay under drifting clouds but mostly sunny skies, loved ones and prominent city residents gathered to remember the man who grew up in Long Beach, graduated Wilson High, went off to Duke University and then returned here to settle with his wife, Theresa and three kids.

"Mark's tragic death breaks my heart, but I thank God for his life." said his mother, Betsy Bixby Steen, to the crowd. "Mark chose to live life with attitude, intelligence, compassion, curiosity." Steen rode in a car with the bicyclists to the Desmond Bridge and said, "It was absolutely exhilarating. The sun came out, it was a real blessing."

Hundreds of people walked or rode bikes to the beachfront service, with at least a hundred people standing at overflow capacity to observe the service. Several large, yellow flower arrangements, with a surfboard standing behind the speaker to memorialize Bixby, who was an avid surfer, cyclist, water and snow skiier. 

Bixby's daugher, Jessica, 13, shared with the audience how much she missed her father. "He always taught you to live life to the fullest. He was truly inspiring. And now I will try to live my life in his path. My dad always says 'Go big or go home.' I will go big."

This saying was repeated several times in eulogies at the memorial with numerous people in the audience also showing their support and wearing a sticker that said, "Go Big or Go Home" -Mark Bixby. 

Mark's daughter, Kirra Bixy, 16, also told everyone how much she missed him. "I miss his giant hugs and how he would make you feel good."Ryan, Bixby's 16 year-old son, said, "As a dad he made sure I stayed on track. He taught me a lot."

Bixby's Aunt Jean Bixby Smith, said "The pain of losing someone you love who is in the prime of their life is extremely difficult." 

Bringing a light moment to the crowd, Pual Tyo, a friend of Mark's, brought laughter to the crowd when he told the audience they had a great "Bromance." Tyo continued with a more serious tone, "The way Mark surfed was like the way he lived life. With style, grace, passion and no fear. I don't know how you can have all these qualities in life and still remain humble. But that was Mark Bixby."

Bixby's stepfather, Denny Steen, told the crowd, "I bring a metaphor of Mark as brilliant gemstone." He added as if speaking to Bixby himself, "We honor your great life and great spirit. I am grateful to have your love." 

Several friends told the crowd stories about how Bixby would challenge them. It did not surprise friends that he was in the co-pilot seat when the plane tragically crashed.  "He lived life to the fullest," said Tim Sherer. The two would go to Marine Stadim in the Shore, Sherer said, and Bixby would not only barefoot ski in the water but do so beside the boat--while driving it.

The Rev. Bill Zeckhausen, who presided over the memorial, told the crowd that it is difficult absorbing a tragedy and coming to terms with such a great loss. Zeckhausen went on and quoted part of a Ernest Hemingway saying, "The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong in the broken places."

The memorial ended with a request of the audience to stand and give applause in remembrance of Bixby. As the crowd applauded, two lifeguard rescue boats shot water out into the air above the bay. At the end, numerous friends and family members hugged each other as music played by John Denver, "Rocky Mountain High." 

After the memorial, the crowd gathered on the beach at Alamitos Bay and watched as over a hundred people participated in the third memorial event  of the day, the "paddle ceremony on the bay." The paddlers, which also included kayakers, several gondolier boats, and few Duffy boats nearby, formed a circle in the Bay in remembrance for Bixby. Spectators watched from Ocean Boulevard including a double-decker Red Bus. 

As mourners gathered for the 10 a.m. service, the NTSB posted its preliminary on the crash circumstances, though did not illuminate what caused the tragedy.

The Bixby family has set up a website memorial for sharing photos, his bio, thoughts on family, and life, and remembrances.

Background music for the Bixby memorial website by his brother: "Lift" by Brett Bixby from the City Lights album. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/brettbixby