A retired Will County sheriff’s lieutenant died Sunday afternoon in a motorcycle crash in Wilton Township.
Robert “Dutch” Schurman was driving a 2004 Harley Davidson Electra motorcycle south on South Tulley Road near West County Line Road when he lost control and drove off the road, according to a news release from the Will County sheriff’s office.
The 67-year-old New Lenox man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Friends who were riding behind Schurman told investigators there was a lot of dust in the air making it difficult to see the road in front of them. Schurman failed to negotiate a leftward curve in the road and drove off the road to the south, according to the news release. Friends on the scene attempted to save Schurman until first responders arrived, according to the news release.
The accident remains under investigation.
Schurman was a 29-year veteran of the sheriff’s office, retiring in 2008 as a lieutenant. He also was a member of the Untouchables Motorcycle Club, according to his obituary.
“Dutch was the consummate supervisor and with his great sense of humor and kindness he was a pleasure to work for,” Sheriff Mike Kelley said in a statement. “He will be missed by us old-timers at the sheriff’s office. We extend our sympathies to his family.”
Visitation services will be from 4-8 p.m. Thursday at Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 102 E. Francis Road, New Lenox. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Kurtz Memorial Chapel.
Schurman is survived by his wife, Paula; his children Jacob (Shannon) Schurman, Abigail (Adam) Barr, and Nicholas Schurman; four grandchildren; a brother; three nieces; and two nephews.
Alicia Fabbre is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
