The Builder

ROMAN (Ray) J GASIOROWSKI

Born: 09/28/1928 - Passed: 11/16/1996

Wife: Gerry.

Children: Michael, Debbie & Chris

Ray learned much about bicycle building at the Schwinn factory in Chicago and was close to Rudy Schwinn, one of the old school European engineers that helped make Schwinn the quality name it was. Ray worked as a bicycle design and products engineer. Schwinn actually help fund his industrial engineering studies at IIT Institute. He was involved with Paramount frame building 

Ray was a first line racer in Chicago. Ray rode in the Vuelta de Mexico, and was a finalist in Olympic trials back in the '50's. He also raced the "Tour of Somerville" (New Jersey) and did well in it. His army service took him to Europe where he was sponsored by the Army to participate in the Olympic road trials.

Click this thumbnail to see Ted, Ray and Don at the finish line, in Sherman Park, Chicago, in the Spring of 1950:

Ray left Schwinn in 1959 and went to the AMF corporation to head up their production team through the early 70's. After deciding to forge out on his own he spent a couple years getting the logistics in order to open up a shop. During that time he consulted in Russia on a bicycle startup endeavor. His expertise in high quality building techniques and a great eye for efficient building systems made him an invaluable resource that many sought out over the years.

"Quality American Bicycles" (from the Romic business cards)

Quotes from Ray

"An inch of gold will not buy an inch of time." 

"Why is there always enough time to do it over, but never enough time to do it right the first time."