Tribute set for two men

Memorial ceremonies have been scheduled for the two men who drowned after a midnight swim near Huntington Beach Pier last week.

According to the website of ASV Inventions, the Huntington Beach motocross parts company where both worked in sales, a celebration for Ryan Reid of Huntington Beach, who was 22, will be held at 2 p.m. Aug. 25 at 16521 Marie Lane. A Bike Night memorial for Reid and for Christopher Palmer of Long Beach, who was 24, was scheduled to be in Corona Wednesday evening.

Dozens of friends, family and co-workers of the two men weighed in on their lives on a memorial message board set up on the ASV website, www.asvinventions. com/memorial/index.html. Under the men’s pictures reads the motto, “We are here for a good time, not a long time,” a phrase Palmer had posted above his desk.

Ken Waisbrot, who identified himself as Reid’s father, wrote: “I will miss you so deeply, Ryan, but I know that you’re in a better place. I also know that we will ride together again, and continue to have the good times that we had, my son. Just as you have always been, you will remain in my heart, and my soul, for eternity.”

Co-worker John Gaydos wrote to both men: “Chris, your humor and super-charged energy filled ASV everyday. You truly cared for your family and friends. While working you never had ‘just’ customers; you treated everyone as your best bud. Ryan, I’ve known you as a cool and dedicated guy. I knew you loved bikes with all your heart as by the detail and dedicated work you’ve done.”

Reid’s body was released to Westminster Memorial Park.

The bodies of Reid and Palmer were found Aug. 8 north of Huntington Beach Pier following a swim after the beach was closed. The men had been swimming with three other friends, witnesses told police.

When those three got out of the water, they could not find Reid and Palmer.

Autopsies showed the men had drowned, the coroner said.