Longtime horseman Robert Messick passed away on July 23 with his family at his side at Bayhealth Milford Memorial Hospital in Milford, Delaware. He was 72.

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Messick bred and owned a number of hard hitting performers including the multiple stakes winner Roddys Bags Again (1:48.4 - $725,622).

Despite battling diabetes and a failing heart, Messick continued to head the daily operation of his large farm and also oversee his stable of 13 horses in training plus a dozen broodmares, yearlings and weanlings.

An outstanding athlete during his younger days, Messick was widely known playing baseball and softball with teams in Delaware. He was also an avid hunter and trap shooter. In 1973, he was named Handicap Champion in Virginia in 1973. He also served with the Delaware National Guard from 1956 until 1963 and rose to the rank of Sergeant.

Following 26 years employment at General Foods in Dover, DE, where he served as supervisor of its Millwright Shop, Messick retired and bought his first standardbred in 1993. For the past 17 years, his horses were trained by the Torberts, Ernie, and now his nephew, Tim Torbert.

Currently, Messick has several horses racing at the Meadowlands and Chester Downs. His standout performer is the top-class mare pacer Pacific Philly, a winner of more than $800,000 lifetime.

Roddys Bags Again, a stakes winner at age two and three and a top class pacer as an older horse, is a much sought-after stallion standing at Winbak of Delaware. His first crop are yearlings and will race in 2011.

Mr. Messick is survived by his wife of 51 years, Norma, a son, Rodney and daughter-in-law Yolanda Messick, a daughter Susan and son-in-law Ronald Patton, three brothers, James, Paul and Toby Messick, two sisters, Mattie Bowman and JoAnn Benson and three grandchildren.

An overflow gathering of several hundred turned out to pay respects for funeral services on July 26 at Rogers Funeral Home in Milford, Del. Messick was buried in Barratts Chapel Cemetery in Frederica, Del.

In lieu of flowers, the family requested memorial contributions to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, First State Chapter, 100 W. 10th St. Wilmington, DE 19801.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Robert Messick.