by Dean A. Hoffman
Columbus, OH — Ronald L. Brechler, 75, of Mount Vernon, Ohio, died Nov. 28, 2011, at his home after a brief illness.
He had been involved in harness racing for more than three decades and is perhaps best known as the breeder of Trick Man p,4,1:49.3f ($286,135), a top campaigner at The Meadows in the past two seasons.
Mr. Brechler was at The Meadows in late July when Trick Man took his record beating a field that included Foiled Again, We Will See, and Delmarvelous. He went off at odds of 60-1 and came roaring through the stretch to win by a length.
Mr. Brechler also bred and owned such top Ohio performers as Touchtown p,3,1:51.3h ($129,179) and Sky Ridge Knight 4,1:55s ($168,721). Other favorites were Talk Forever and Star Siren.
His sons Doug and Kris shared his love of harness racing and owned many horses with their father.
Mr. Brechler was born in Iowa and moved to Ohio. He operated a dairy farm until 1980, then moved into the city of Mount Vernon to operate Knox Services, Inc., a milk brokerage. That’s when he began to get involved with harness racing. His first horse was the pacer Armada p,6,1:53.1 ($193,127).
His favorite broodmare was Touch Of Bogart, the dam of Touchtown and other good performers. She was bred to Rock N Roll Heaven this year.
Mr. Brechler is survived by his wife of 56 years, Carolyn “Vicki” (Schoon); children, Kathryn, Douglas, Teresa (Brian) Young and Kris (Amy); granddaughter, Ashley Young; half brother, Jud; half sister, Karen (Ron) Murphy; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepmother, Fonteller; and a brother and sister-in-law, James and Yvonne.
The family will receive friends on Thursday (Dec. 1) from 5-7 p.m. at the Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home, 619 E. High St., Mount Vernon. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday (Dec. 2) at 10 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, with the Rev. Father Mark J. Hammond as the celebrant. Burial will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery in Mount Vernon.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 303 E. High St., Mount Vernon, OH 43050; or Hospice of Central Ohio, 2269 Cherry Valley Road SE, Newark, OH 43055.