Former Kentucky Racing Commissioner Durr Dead

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Former Kentucky Horse Racing Commission member Robert C. Durr died of cardiac arrest May 21 at St. Elizabeth Medical Center near Edgewood, Ky. He was 88.

Durr was appointed to the state regulatory body by former Gov. John Y. Brown Jr. in 1980 and served until 1992. He entered the Thoroughbred industry in 1970.

During his time in the Thoroughbred business, Durr bred stakes winners such as grade III winners Your Tent or Mine and Savedbythelight, both in partnership with George Budig; Prince Wild, in partnership with Calumet Farm; Bluffing Girl, in partnership with Robert Courtney; Q.D. Pie; Dim Lights; Speedy Crossing; Timeless Statue; and Princess Girl.

Durr owned Richwood Manor near Richwood, Ky., where he kept a handful of mares.

According to a report in the Cincinnati Enquirer, Durr was born May 14, 1919 in Atwood, Ky., before establishing a highway construction company called the R.C. Durr Company in the 1940s.  He later branched into banking, helping to found Boone State Bank - subsequently acquired by Fifth Third - and the Bank of Boone County.

In 1993, he set up the R.C. Durr Foundation, which donates money to local and state charity efforts.
He was married to the late Katherine Ballinger, who died in 1992 for 46 years. He married his current wife, Deborah Jo, in 2002. 

Durr is survived by a stepson, Micah Schoettle; stepdaughter, Trinity Schafstall; and two step-grandchildren.

Memorials are suggested to the R.C. Durr YMCA, 5874 Veterans Way, Burlington, Ky. 41005; Richwood Presbyterian Church, 1070 Richwood Road, Richwood, Ky. 41094; or Hickory Grove Baptist Church, 11969 Taylor Mill Road, Independence, Ky. 41051.

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