Owner and breeder Robert Dean Grimm, Jr. passed away suddenly Sunday at the age of 53. The son of famed owner/breeder Virginia Kraft Payson, Grimm headed the family's Payson Stud Management LLC.
“He was a true character,” said Grimm's close friend Christian Erickson. “He loved horses, he loved the lifestyle, and he loved the business.”
Erickson recalled that in many ways Grimm was “larger than life” and will be remembered as someone with tremendous reach, connecting with people within and outside the Thoroughbred industry. A graduate of the University of Kentucky, Grimm was also influential in the racing and stud career of St. Jovite (Pleasant Colony), as well as a number of other Payson-owned runners.
“He was a brilliantly flawed guy, a great guy,” Erickson continued. “He had more circles of friends and knew more people than you could imagine. He knew everybody. There's a picture in his house where he's talking to the Queen.”
Grimm recently lost his son Payson Grimm, who passed away in an automobile accident Monday, Feb. 15.
A visitation and service will be held Wednesday at the Newman Center on the campus of the University of Kentucky, followed by a catered reception that is open to all. The visitation begins at 5 p.m. ET, while the mass commences at 7 p.m ET. Erickson said that visitors are encouraged to bring and share stories and memories of Grimm at the reception.
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