from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Dennis R. Wick, 59, of Sacramento, Calif., died at the Methodist Hospital on Sept. 24, 2011, following a long illness.

Mr. Wick was born Feb. 17, 1952, in Solana Beach, Calif. He was the son of William and Jeannette Ubbelhode Wick. He graduated from Edgewater High School in Orlando, Fla., in 1969 and attended Lakeland College in Plymouth, Wis.

As a young man he was a groom for Earl Avery and Clint Hodgins. In 1975, Mr. Wick decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a horseshoer. He worked for his father from 1975 to 1982 at both Pompano Park and Vernon Downs. While at Vernon, he was the paddock blacksmith. In 1982, he went to California and worked at several race tracks for the next 20 years. His favorite job in California was working for Doug Ackerman at Del Mar.

Mr. Wick is survived by his father, William (Bill); stepmother, Lucille; sister, Susan (Richard) White; nieces, Michele Throm and Kymberlee Throm; two uncles; two aunts; and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his mother, Jeannette; and brothers, Paul and Jeffery.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Christian Harness Horsemen’s Association, 157 North Main St., Salem, NH 03079 or to the Vance Scholarship Fund, c/o Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association, 1800 SW 3rd St., Pompano Beach, FL 33069.

Arrangements are being handled by Eastlawn Funeral Home, Sacramento, Calif., and Schneider Funeral Home, Plymouth, Wis. Interment will be made at the convenience of the family in Woodlawn Cemetery, Plymouth, Wis.