Former KHBPA president Pete Salmen dies at 81
Obituary for our former president, Pete Salmen:
Peter W. Salmen Jr., age 81, died on Thursday, October17, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. Pete was born April 18, 1938 in Hazel Park, Michigan. He was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Donna Oak Salmen. He is survived by his children, Peter W. Salmen, III (Rachel), Susan S. Bunning (Mark) and Catherine S. Wright (Roger) all of Lexington and his sister, Patricia Baker of Indiana. He is survived by his grandchildren, Amanda Kelsey, Eric Bunning, William Salmen, Phillip Salmen, Paul Wright, Doug Wright and Emory Wright and one great-grandchild, Reagan Kelsey.
Pete was a proud graduate of the class of 1956 Kentucky Military Institute in Louisville, Kentucky and attended the University of Michigan and Transylvania University. Pete was a life-long horseman, training many stakes winners for family-owned Crimson King Farm in Scott County, Kentucky. He gave back to the horse industry and his fellow horsemen in numerous ways.
Pete was elected to the Board of Directors of the Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (KHBPA). The KHBPA is a trade organization representing the interest of owners and trainers running horses in Kentucky. In addition, horsemen elected Pete as the President of KHBPA for two consecutive terms. During his tenure as President, he and Don Ball, President of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association (KTA) forged an alliance which attributed to strengthening the racing industry in Kentucky and benefitting the health and welfare of the backstretch community. Don and Pete also served on the Kentucky Racing Health and Welfare Fund, an organization which provides medical benefits and assistance to needy horsemen racing in Kentucky. Pete was also appointed, and served for several years, to the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF), which oversees significant sums of supplemental purse money for Kentucky bred horses.
Expressions of condolences in lieu of flowers can be made to KHBPF, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charity benefiting backstretch workers in Kentucky, 3729 S. Fourth St, Louisville, KY 40214.
Funeral services will be 3 PM Sunday at Johnson’s Funeral Home. Visitation will be 1 PM till service time on Sunday. Burial will be 10 AM Monday at the Georgetown Cemetery.
To send flowers to the family of Peter William Salmen, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
