Portlander Mark Bosworth missing since Friday night from Cycle Oregon campsite

Mark Bosworth

Search and rescue teams and law enforcement officials have set up a command center in the small town of Riddle, Oregon (map) in an effort to find Portland resident Mark Bosworth. Bosworth, a 54 year old father of two who works at Metro as a GIS analyst, has been missing since around 11:00 pm on Friday night when he vanished from the Cycle Oregon campsite near Riddle High School.

According to Cycle Oregon Ride Director Jerry Norquist, Bosworth was on the ride as a volunteer, which is something he’d done for the past four years.

When I spoke to Norquist this morning, he said 65 people have amassed in Riddle to aid the Douglas County Sheriff’s search and rescue efforts. Norquist says Bosworth’s family is also on the scene. “We’re putting on the full court press to find him,” Norquist said.

“Mark is part of our family… We’re devastated… It’s just surreal.”
— Jerry Norquist, Cycle Oregon

“Mark is part of our family,” said Norquist, “We’re devastated… It’s just surreal… Nothing like this has ever happened on Cycle Oregon before.”

Glen Bolen was the last person to see Bosworth. Bolen, who has been friends with Bosworth since 1993, told me this morning that he and Bosworth were chatting near their tents just before 11:00 pm Friday night when the two parted ways. “It’s just really strange.”

While both Bolen and Norquist say the situation is completely out of character for Bosworth, they both acknowledge that he was not acting like himself prior to Friday night. Norquist said they were aware he was “having a hard week” and that they hadn’t been seeing “the usual Mark.” “It was concerning to us,” said Norquist, so much so that he asked Bosworth at one point if he’d like a ride back to the event’s starting point in Sutherlin. Bosworth declined the offer, insisting that he was fine.

Bolen said he first became concerned about Bosworth Friday afternoon when he and Bosworth were enjoying a beer and pizza at the Cycle Oregon beer garden. Bolen says after ordering, Bosworth got up to use the restroom and never came back. “I didn’t see him again until 9:30 or so. I told him I was worried about him, but he said he just got sidetracked talking with someone,” recalled Bolen. Later that night, he and Bosworth were chatting near their tents before he split up with Bosworth again around 11:00 pm, which was the last time he saw his friend.

Bolen recalls that he was also concerned because Bosworth, a cancer survivor, had complained about headaches earlier in the day and another friend of theirs said Bosworth had said he was “really tired” and had dozed off while sitting in a chair. Bolen also recalled that Bosworth had had several drinks that night.

Both Norquist and Bolen say something about Bosworth’s demeanor and behavior the last few days wasn’t normal and they were both concerned about him.

After they parted ways for the last time Friday night, Bolen said there was loud partying at a bar on Riddle’s Main Street, which was in the direction of Bosworth’s campsite. “He’s a very social person,” Bolen said this morning, trying to make sense of what might have happened, “He’s the kind of person who if he heard music playing he would have walked over to it.”

The Cycle Oregon campsite in Riddle was located adjacent to a river, which Bolen said was calm. The weather Friday night was cold, with temperatures going down to the mid 40s. Bosworth has his wallet and his phone, but he has not responded to phone calls.

Bosworth is known by many people in our community. He is a regular at bike-related events and he is part of the team that develops Metro’s popular Bike There! map.

Norquist says authorities are following every lead they can. “We’re hoping they have some good luck today.”

If you have any information about Bosworth’s whereabouts, please call the Douglas County sheriff’s office at (541) 440-4471.

For more, read an article posted this morning by the News Review newspaper in Roseburg.

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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Fix On Your Bike
12 years ago

Find him, please..

Patty lawrence
Patty lawrence
12 years ago

I don’t know how to use this thing. I would
like his wife to call me. A guy walked by me at Springfield big lots with a big blue backpack on
and skinny legs. He had bigger shorts on. He asked why I was smiling and then asked why the guys in big
lots didn’t have hats on. Patty. 541-285-4832
called Springfield police about 1 hour later
after I wS telling my husband then thought of him

Hagen Hammons
Hagen Hammons
12 years ago

Here is to thinking positive thoughts for Mark at this time.

Joe
Joe
12 years ago

Mark where are you?

Mia Birk
Mia Birk
12 years ago

Mark is a wonderful guy and has done so much for cycling in our region and state. Our prayers are with him and his family.

Mike
Mike
12 years ago

As a colleague, I would add that Mark is universally liked and extremely well regarded within his professional community. This is very worrying and I sincerely hope Mark is found in good health and is reunited with his family soon.

Dan O
Dan O
12 years ago

Crazy is real. Positive waves~~~~…

Scott Mizée
12 years ago

Also praying for Mark and his family. May he be found soon and in good condition.

Joe Kurmaskie
12 years ago

I’m pulling for you, mark. May this have a happy ending and soon.

Ray Lewis
Ray Lewis
12 years ago

As a long-time bike riding friend of Mark’s, I am extremely concerned about this unusual situation. If Julie or the people managing the search and rescue effort need additional help, I’m ready to come at a moments notice to the area and assist in any way that is needed. 503-284-0289.

John Miller
John Miller
12 years ago

Bless my metro brother friend. If help is needed in Riddle Monday, please, someone indicate what to do here tonight!

Jason Gately
Jason Gately
12 years ago

Praying for you and your family Mark.

Tom Kloster
Tom Kloster
12 years ago

Wow… this is so devastating, given all that Mark and his family have been through with his health in the past couple of years.

Mark is one of those wonderful rays of sunshine around Metro, always looking to make the world a little better, always quick with a smile and encouraging word. He’s truly a remarkable person.

Sigh… here’s hoping for a quick and happing ending to this scare!

Pete
Pete
12 years ago

As a fellow cyclist and former Metro colleague, I wish the best for a wonderful man who has made our lives better in measurable ways. Be well, Mark. Please.

Matthew Hampton
Matthew Hampton
12 years ago

Mark is an amazing person. I hope he shows up well with a funny story about what happened. Be strong.

Lake McTighe
Lake McTighe
12 years ago

Mark,
thinking about you and praying that you are ok. Lake

Natalie Ramsland
12 years ago

I was lucky enough to have Mark as an instructor at PSU and can echo how he is simply a warm and generous person. My thoughts are with his family, and I pray that he is ok and found soon.

peoples republic
peoples republic
12 years ago

Mark is a great guy. I hope he’s safe and found soon. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

Kristen
Kristen
12 years ago

My thoughts go out to Mark’s family and friends… I hope they find him soon!

Dan Kaempff
Dan Kaempff
12 years ago

As another of Mark’s colleagues, I can’t say enough great things about the guy. REALLY hoping they find him today!!!

Ron C
Ron C
12 years ago

Mark is one of those people who exudes goodness and warmth. He is a tremendous asset to this region…..hell, this planet! I’ve had the privilege of knowing and working with Mark for nearly 20 years. Please add me to the list of folks ready to assist if needed. My heart and thoughts are with him and his family…..we’re all hoping for a happy ending.

John Mermin
John Mermin
12 years ago

My heart goes out to Mark and his family. Mark is such a warm and gentle soul…

Kelly Bosworth
Kelly Bosworth
12 years ago

I am Mark’s oldest daughter, and I would just like to say how amazing it has been for my sister, mom, and I to read all these kind comments about my dad. Thank you everyone for sharing. There is no news for us to share at this time, but we remain confident about the team that is looking for him. Thank you, again, for all your positive thoughts.

Lauren
Lauren
12 years ago

I am so saddened to hear that anything bad could happen to Mark. He was one of my professors just briefly, but left a deep impression of peace and contentment with life that I’ve kept in mind and try to imitate. We’re all hoping for the very best here at PSU for one of the kindest faculty members I’ve come across.

Susan Lee
Susan Lee
12 years ago

I used to work with Mark at Metro back in the 90s. I now work with the Roseburg BLM. I passed out the flyer to our field going staff and they will be keeping eyes out in the woods for him – in the event he went in that direction. I hope he makes his way home soon.

Nick van V.
Nick van V.
12 years ago

I have not seen Mark for some years but I share the positive sentiments of those who took the time to write here hoping for his safe return and sharing their recognition of his spirit Mark has always seemed like such a positive friendly person to me. Many of us who have worked in the Portland GIS community are hoping he appears soon safe and sound. My sincere best wishes to his family and friends in this challenging moment. Best Regards, Nick V.

Jessica Roberts
Jessica Roberts
12 years ago

I had the pleasure of taking a class at PSU from Mark and found him so warm, encouraging, and positive. I hope he is well, and that he can feel so many peoples’ good energy and hopes for his safe return.

deleteme
deleteme
12 years ago

Hopefully they’ll pick up his cell phone pings and triangulate his approximate location like they did for james kim and his family in 2006.

Brian Harper
Brian Harper
12 years ago

Thinking positive thoughts here. There are many heavy hearts at work today. Mark is loved by many people here at Metro, including myself. I look forward to the news that he is safe and on his way home.

Sharon Martin
Sharon Martin
12 years ago

Mark, a safe journey home to your family, friends and work colleagues.

Wei Han
Wei Han
12 years ago

Mark, we would like to see your smile in the next GIS meeting. Hope you back safely.