Minnesota businessman Vernon Heath, who raced under the banner of Centaur Farms, passed away Apr. 16 in Bloomington, Minnesota. He was 88 years old.
Born Feb. 1, 1929, in McGregor, MN, Heath went on to graduate with a degree in accounting from the state university. After graduation, Heath worked as a business manager for the University's Aeronautical Research Center and in 1956, Heath and two associated founded Rosemount Engineering Inc., a company that manufactured high-tech sensors and process-control instruments.
The company gained a significant foothold in that arena, so much so that when Neil Armstrong walked on the moon in 1969, he was carrying devices made by Rosemount. Heath was also widely known as being a philanthropist, his advice and support having benefited many.
Heath campaigned a number of graded stakes winners, the best of which was the Scotty Schulhofer-trained Exogenous (Unbridled), three times Grade I placed against her peers in 2001 before winning the GI Gazelle H. and the GI Beldame S. Tragedy befell the homebred filly just prior to that year's GI Breeders' Cup Distaff, when she spooked at something coming onto the track and struck her head on the dirt. A hind leg also became entangled in a fence, and although she was sedated and returned to her barn, she could not be saved due to the head trauma. Other stakes winner for Centaur included Adhocracy, Classic Par and Gottcha Gold.
A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, Apr. 22 at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 13600 Technology Dr., Eden Prairie, MN. Visitation will take place Friday, Apr. 21 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at Washburn-McReavy, 5000 W. 50th St., Edina, MN, and also one hour prior to the services at the church Saturday. Interment as Oak Knoll Cemetery will be private.
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