SACRAMENTO,
CA – Ralph Scurfield, who served more than eight years on the California Horse
Racing Board from January 1991 through September 1999, passed away Tuesday in a
Sacramento hospital at the age of 85.
Mr.
Scurfield devoted 40 years of his life to public service, including terms with
the Sacramento Planning Commission, the Sacramento City Council, and the
California State Fair and Exposition Board.
He was
greatly respected within the horse racing community during his years of service
on the CHRB. He devoted countless hours of his personal time to the business of
the Board and the betterment of the California horse racing industry,
especially in matters concerning the health and safety of racehorses and workers
in the industry. He was so respected by his fellow commissioners, they elected
chairman for seven consecutive years, making him the second-longest tenured
chairman in CHRB history. The Association of Racing Commissioners International
also named him chairman in 1998.
Mr.
Scurfield is survived by his wife, Barbara; three sons, Donald, David, and
Steven; two stepsons, Ken and Chris, and 14 grandchildren.
A
celebration of his life will be held Tuesday, October 22, beginning at 1 p.m.
at the Sutter Lawn Tennis Club in Sacramento.
