Robert Grimm

GRIMM Robert Dean, Jr., known as Dean, died suddenly in Lexington, Kentucky on 21 February at the age of 54 years and one month. He was born in Manhattan, New York, the son of Robert Dean Grimm Sr. and Virginia Kraft. His father and his only child Payson Dean Grimm preceded him in death. He leaves his mother Virginia Kraft Payson of Indiantown, Florida, Lexington, Kentucky and Saratoga Springs, New York, three sisters, Tana Aurland Bostian (Jeff) of East Hampton, Massachusetts, Tara Kraft Grimm of Paris, France and Jill Aurland of Vernon Hills, Illinois, a nephew and two nieces. Dean was raised in Putnam County, New York. He spent his early years playing tennis (Two time Varsity Team Captain, Welby Van Horn Grand Championship), Trap Shooting (three time Junior champion, Shikar Safari finalist). Dean shot his first "perfect round" of trap at age eight using a 20 gauge shotgun. The re-tooled, reduced barrel length shotgun resembled a toy, "until he got his 4 foot 3 inch frame up to the line. All anyone could see was this little fellow, followed by the crack of the gun going off, and the clay pigeons fall one after another," said famed world champion Steve Ferber. In the winters Dean and his family spent months each year in the famed Laurentian Mountains of Quebec, downhill skiing (St. Jovite, Quebec Canadian Downhill Championship Series, competing for Gold (3), Silver (1), Bronze (2) medals. Dean, at age 9, earned a podium place for the Laurentian Olympic Trial Course second fastest time. Dean attended Frederick Military Academy in Portsmouth, Virginia, graduated from Salisbury Prepatory School in Salisbury, Connecticut and The University of Kentucky (UK), receiving a BA in Political Science. After graduation, Dean joined the then topped-ranked polo player in the world, Guillermo "Memo" Gracida, on the Eastern polo circuit. Dean had a private meeting with the Queen Mother and Queen Elizabeth II after the three year old colt, St. Jovite, co-owned with his mother, won the 1992 Irish Derby, posting the fastest time in 150 years, and was named European Horse of the Year. St. Jovite stood initially at Dean's solely owned Payson Stud Management, LLC, before moving to Ireland where he stood the better part of his stud career. St. Jovite died earlier this year at age 27. "I found the Queen and the Queen Mum charming and graceful," Dean said in a later interview, "But Charles wasn't as cordial, often ignoring those in his presence." When asked about others he had met, he lit up as he spoke of Donald Trump. In his early thirties Trump was trying to buy the NY Mets. "I really liked him, he was very confident, explaining he knew "how to get things done in New York," something he would prove, many times over." It was while he was playing Polo in Wellington, Florida, he realized most of the players had made their fortunes elsewhere. Having just graduated from college, with little money, Dean decided it was time to get to work establishing himself in the business community. His first attempt was real estate development. After little more than a year working with local developers, he was approached by Don Webb of Lexington who hired him on the spot. One of his first projects was a 43,000 square foot office building that would become home to Cardinal Bancshares, a banking enterprise started by Jim Hill and Mickey Taylor, owners of Triple Crown Winner Seattle Slew. (Dean would later breed and sell in partnership with actor Woody Harrelson the highest priced thoroughbred weanling colt in North America at that time, and the last stakes winning son of Seattle Slew to go to stud. Named Council Member, the horse become an European sensation in England at two). Dean's family owned land in Lexington, Kentucky, on the famed Paris Pike. Dean leased a small barn on the farm, and named his company Payson Stud Management, LLC. At the time of his death Dean was current President of The Breeders Association (TBA), owner of The National Stud, LLC, Payson Stud Management, LLC, former Director Cardinal Bancshares, former Director Vine Street Trust, former Director World Gaming, Philanthropist of the Year, Founding Member, Co-owner Smoke Switchers.com, Rand Paul Victory Committee. Dean lost his only child, 20-year old Payson Dean Grimm in an auto accident on 15 February 2016. For the twenty years since his son's birth, Dean waged an unsuccessful legal battle for visitation rights to his son. The death of his son put Dean in a state of depression much worse than any he had previously experienced. His many good friends and his loving family were unable to relieve his pain. Six days after his son's death, Dean joined him. May they live side-by-side in perpetual peace until the Lord raises them up to eternal glory. Visitation on Wednesday 24 February, at the Newman Center, University of Kentucky, Rose Street, at 5pm, a Mass at 7pm, followed by a reception at the Center. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in the name of Dean Grimm may be made to The Newman Center, 320 Rose Ln., Lexington, KY 40508. www.milwardfuneral.com