from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Longtime racing secretary Ron Giehls, 82, died May 9, 2017. He had battled several rounds of pneumonia and other ailments with on-off stints in rehab facilities.

He was born to George and Leah (Payne) Giehls on Jan. 26, 1935, in Warren County, Ohio.

After serving his country in the United States Army from 1956 through 1958, Mr. Giehls started his harness racing career in 1960 as charter, assistant program director and patrol judge at Hamilton Raceway and Lebanon Raceway.

He continued down this path until 1969 when he followed his mentor, Bill Connors, as assistant racing secretary at Hazel Park, Wolverine Raceway and Pompano Park. That circuit continued through 1975 when he again returned to Lebanon Raceway and Latonia Raceway as associate judge and assistant racing secretary.

He served as racing secretary at Wheeling Downs (1975) and Saginaw Valley Downs (1987) before accepting the position of racing secretary at Lebanon Raceway in 1988. He retired from Lebanon in 2013 as the last racing secretary at the track’s old location on the Warren County Fairgrounds.

Mr. Giehls was a member of the Lebanon United Methodist Church. He enjoyed collecting baseball cards, watching Cincinnati Reds baseball and Xavier basketball. He valued his family time and his beloved grandson, Kaden, and will be watching all of Kaden’s baseball games from above.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Beverly (Moore); son, Brad (Debbie); grandson, Kaden; nephew, Bryan (Kristen) Blade; niece, Hollye (Mike) Morrow; and many great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ralph and Russel; and sister, Dorothy.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday (May 16) from 10 a.m.-12 noon with a memorial service beginning at 12 noon, all at the Lebanon United Methodist Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Southwest Ohio Hospice or the Lebanon United Methodist Church.

Arrangements made by Oswald-Hoskins Funeral Home, Lebanon. Online condolences may be sent to www.hoskinsfh.com.