Coy Hart, 1942-2018: Springfield bicycle and trails advocate, long-time MoBikeFed Board Member

Coy Hart of Springfield, a long-time MoBikeFed Board Member, League Cycling Instructor, Ozark Greenways & SpringBike volunteer, and bicycling & trails advocate, passed away Saturday after an extended illness.

Coy Hart, 1942-2018

In 2012, the Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation presented Coy with a Lifetime Achievement Award--one of just four we have presented so far.  The text of the award and accompanying press release tells just a little about the advocacy and volunteer work Coy did throughout his life:

Coy Hart has worked hard to promote bicycling and trails across Missouri, serving on the boards of the Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation and the Missouri Foundation for Bicycling and Walking and as a longtime member of the MoDOT Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee. In Springfield, he's been an active advocate and volunteer with Ozark Greenways STAR Team and other bicycling organizations. He convinced David Hutchison to join him as a League of American Bicyclists Cycling Instructor and has organized and taught numerous bicycle safety courses, including assisting with Missouri's first League Cycling Instructor Training.

Coy has spent a lifetime promoting and advocating for bicycling. He has served on numerous Boards including MBF and MO Foundation for Bicycling/Walking, MODOT Bicycle/Pedestrian Committee. In Springfield, Coy was active on the Bicycling Advisory Committee, Ozark Greenways, as an LCI, and many more. At the Tour of Missouri, Coy was in the MBF booth everyday collecting signatures for the completion of the Katy Trail and our new state bicycle license plates.

Coy was an indefatigable worker, who spent many hours trimming, cleaning, and doing maintenance on Springfield's trail network, and many hours, days, and weeks loading and carrying equipment and staffing displays for the MoBikeFed.

Walnut Lawn Funeral Home posted an obituary for Coy with a few more details about his life:

Coy Lee Hart, Jr., 76, of Springfield passed away on Saturday, February 24, 2018, at Wilson Creek Nursing Home.

Coy was born on February 4, 1942 in Pensacola, Florida the son of Coy Lee Sr. and Sibyl Lois (Yocum) Hart.

He was a U.S. Army Veteran.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and is survived by a sister, Cindy Burks of Fairfield, Iowa.

Coy will be cremated and a Memorial Service will be Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at 1:00 PM at the Grandview Baptist Church. Inurnment will be at a later date in Iowa, under the direction of Walnut Lawn Funeral Home, Ltd. DeGraffenreid-Wood Crematory.

A memorial page for Coy is also online at Legacy.com.

A huge thanks goes to Coy and his family for everything he did for better bicycling, walking, and trails in Missouri. Coy--we'll miss you!