Grant Ringel, 54, of Sammamish is a Harley owner who has been coming to Providence Marianwood Nursing Home with the Eastside Harley Owner’s Group for about eight years. For him, it’s a matter of love.

“Everyone – residents and riders – are totally uplifted by the day,” Ringel said. “These people are fabulous!”

Richard Ingertila, 81, knows that firsthand.

Ingertila, a resident at Providence Marianwood. was a motorcycle drill team member with the Seattle Police Department for six years before he became a detective, the position from which he retired. On Sept. 24, he back on a Harley.

The first order of business was to get Ingertila from the wheelchair onto the back of the motorcycle. The therapy staff of Marianwood lifted him from his wheelchair and placed him safely on the seat. When he was safely seated, Ringel sat in front of him and lifted his arms so that the two of them could be belted together. A helmet was placed on Ingertila’s head and they were off for a few laps around the parking lot.

Ringel said he carefully goosed the bike a few times to bring a smile to Ingertila’s eyes before bringing him back to the finish.

Members of the Harley group are set to return next may.