Robert Allen Chaffin

Robert Allen “Butch” Chaffin, 69, of Columbus, passed away September 12th, 2024 with his family at his side. Robert was born January 11, 1955 in Columbus, OH to Wade and Carol Chaffin. He has hopefully moved on to a better place. 

Loving brother to sister Debbie and survived by sister Terry, nieces Lyndsay Johnson and Courtney (Ryan) Pierce, and great nephews Colin and Grant Pierce. He truly cared for others and was great friend to many. His father was his best friend as they shared almost all of their favorite hobbies: horse racing, hunting, poker, football and of course family. He was the taste tester for Carol and could always help to make the potato salad perfect. He attended Gahanna High School. He retired from the US Postal Service but his true passion was harness racing. He owned, trained and bred horses most of his life, often in the winner’s circle at Scioto Downs. He started as young boy at the age of 14 at the Ohio State Fairgrounds. At 16, he had his own horse to train. She won her first and only start as she was claimed at Wheeling Downs. He then worked for Chuck DewBre at Scioto Downs and traveled throughout the US racing. His favorite horse was Gypsy Ben, a track record holder for at Scioto Downs from 1984-1993. He kept him until his death in 2008. There’s an old joke for horsemen to remember: the horsemen was talking to God and asked how his old horse was doing in heaven. God answered, “good he got second last week, would you like some more news?” He responded: “you’re driving him next week.” 

We are all lucky to have known him and he will truly be missed.

Visitation and service to follow Thursday, September 26th, 2024 at 4pm at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Westerville 4686 E. Walnut St. Westerville, OH 43081.