Roy Edward Richter (March 16, 1914 – July 28, 1983) was an American businessman who founded Bell Helmets and Cragar Industries.
Roy's father was from Germany and his mother was of English, Irish, and French descent.
Otto moved the family again in 1922, this time to California, in search of better weather and better job opportunities.
Otto found work as an ice deliveryman but also pursued many business ventures such as real estate and mining.
[4] Using earnings from odd jobs and money from his father, Richter purchased his first motorcycle in 1931.
In 1949, with the start of the Bonneville National Speed Trials he was there selling spare parts and also provided shade for contestants; he did this for 30 years.
[4] A short time after he bought Bell Auto Parts, one of Roy Richter's friends was killed in a racing accident.
Even Evel Knievel stated his Bell helmet helped save his life after his crash at Caesars Palace.
His company was credited with producing the first effective bicycle helmet in 1978, the Bell Biker.
Richter died on July 28, 1983, after his second heart bypass surgery from complications at the age of 69.