Services are scheduled for racer, Yamaha test rider, race promoter, and businessman Rudy Galindo this coming Saturday in Huntsville, Alabama. He died on July 17th at age 76.
His daughter Yvette Galindo Westwick announced his passing with this post on Facebook:
“It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of our father, Rudy Galindo. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on July 17, 2025. We are heartbroken but find solace in knowing he is in a better place. Please keep my mother in your prayers as she mourns the loss of her best friend. Our dad’s love for his family was evident to all who knew him..
“Funeral Arrangements will be Saturday August 9, 2025 at noon, at Berry Hill funeral Home, 2305 N. Memorial Pkwy Huntsville Al.
“Condolences from 12pm to 2pm, Service from 2pm-2:30pm
“Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery, 202 Maple Hill St. SE, Huntsville Al”
The following official obituary was posted on the Berry Hill Funeral Home website:
“Rudy Galindo, age 76, of Huntsville, AL, went to be with Jesus on Thursday, July 17, 2025. Rudy was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He will be remembered for his kind and forgiving spirit, his deep love for people and his work, and his joyful passion for dancing.
“He is survived by his beloved wife, Josie Galindo, and his children: Yvette Westwick, Jennifer Rose, Christian Galindo, and Heather McGill. He was a proud grandfather to Lerina Brewer, Casey Catron, Carissa McManus, Manuel Caballero, Elise Barnes, Colton Rose, Paislee McGill and Arlo McGill and was blessed with nine great-grandchildren. Rudy is also survived by his brothers, Benny Galindo and Jimmy Galindo; his sister, Loraine Cortez; nine nieces and nephews; nine great-nieces and nephews; and many more cherished family members and friends who will miss him dearly.
“He was preceded in death by his parents, Violeta and Benny Galindo, and his brother, Peter Galindo.
“Rudy’s legacy of love, laughter, and compassion live on in the many lives he touched.
“Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Berryhill Funeral Home from 12:00 to 2:00 pm, followed by the service in the chapel at 2:00 pm with Pastor Ken Clark officiating. Interment will take place at Maple Hill Cemetery.”
Remembering Rudy Galindo, by Editor John Ulrich:
Rudy Galindo raced flat track and road racing, but had his greatest success in AMA Pro road races and in road racing events put on by AFM, CMC, WERA and other organizations. In the early 1980s Galindo and a partner promoted professional events sanctioned by AFM Pro and the AMA, notably including a Budweiser-sponsored event at Riverside Raceway in 1981, which featured a 6-hour endurance race won by Eddie Lawson and Ron Pierce on a Muzzy Kawasaki Superbike ahead of Bruce Hammer and I on a Team Hammer Moriwaki-framed F1 Suzuki.
Galindo was always willing to help other riders and to promote the sport of road racing. In the 1970s, Rudy and I would make the drive from Southern California to AFM events at Sears Point (now known as Sonoma Raceway), leaving after Rudy got off work on Saturday. We would drive all night, arrive in time for the gates to open, go through tech, practice, race, pack up, drive all night, get home, and get ready to go to work. In my case I would write up a story about the races, type up the results, develop film, deliver the story, results and film, and then go to college journalism classes. Rudy was my co-conspirator in those early days of great adventures, long trips and crazy schedules fueled by our mutually shared enthusiasm for motorcycle road racing. In retrospect, we did more together than we could have done on our own, and it was a blast.
Rudy was originally from California but relocated to Alabama in 1991, with his wife Josie and his younger kids, Jennifer, Heather, and Christian. His oldest daughter Yvette made the move from California to Alabama in 1999.
Godspeed, Rudy Galindo.
