Herman Brickel, a well-known veteran racing official and former presiding judge at Scioto Downs, recently passed away at age 72, three weeks short of his 73rd birthday.

Brickel, whose lifelong career was in harness racing, worked as race secretary at a handful of top racetracks since the mid 20th century, including Brandywine Raceway, Dover Downs, Northfield Park and Hoosier Park, among others. According to a press release from Dover Downs, Brickel apparently suffered a heart attack following minor surgery at a Columbus, Ohio hospital on June 25.

In addition to standardbred administrative positions, Brickel was a successful breeder and also operated the Buckeye Standardbred Yearling Sale in Columbus for many years. Since retirement about a decade ago, Brickel was a familiar figure at the annual Fall Grand Circuit meet at the Red Mile, in Lexington, Ky.

From an avid harness racing family, he followed in the footsteps of his parents, Charles and Phyllis Brickel, who bred and raced some top horses.

Herman, a graduate of Wilmington College in Ohio, is survived by his wife of nearly eight years, Linda; a step-daughter and three step-grandchildren.

Visitation for Herman Brickel is set for Saturday, June 30, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Schoedinger Funeral Home, 3920 Broadway, in Grove City, Ohio.

A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 1, at the United Methodist Church on Columbus Street in Grove City, Ohio.

Please join SC in offering condolences to the family and friends of Herman Brickel.

(With files from Dover)