Horace William “Salty” Roberts, founder of Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA), passed away last Friday in Hollywood, Florida following a lengthy illness. He was 85. Roberts began ministering to track workers in the late 1960s and took the first step toward establishing the first recognized worship services on the backside of a Thoroughbred racetrack in 1970. His work soon spread to racetracks around the country and the RTCA was established in 1972.
“Salty had a real burden on his heart for the people that he worked with,” said long-time friend and Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day, who currently serves as president of the Kentucky chapter of RTCA. “He eagerly shared that burden by establishing a ministry to serve them right where they worked and often lived–on the backside of racetracks.”
Dan Waits, Executive Director of Race Track Chaplaincy of America said, “Countless lives and generations to come have been and will be impacted by the Christ-centered work of Salty Roberts. We stand on his shoulders, and RTCA will continue to honor his legacy by carrying out the mission he established.”
Roberts is survived by his wife, Dallas; six children: Mark Roberts, Lygia Colton (Kevin), Mary McKeever, Chris Roberts (Melissa); Paul Roberts, and Alicia Gargiulo (John); nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
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