SHAKOPEE, MN – Chairman of the Minnesota Racing Commission, Ralph Strangis, passed away at the age of 82 on August 15 with his wife, Grace, by his side. Strangis had been fighting a long battle with heart disease.
Strangis attended the University of Minnesota where he received a BSL degree and a doctorate in law (JD) (magna cum laude). He was a founding member of the law firm of Kaplan, Strangis and Kaplan, P.A. and was instrumental in landmark deals involving Northwest Airlines, TCF Financial Corp, the Minnesota Twins (Target Field) and Minnesota United (Allianz Field).
He was first appointed as Chairman of the Minnesota Racing Commission in 1989 and served until 1992. He returned as Chairman of the Commission in 2013 and served until his death.
Though unable to attend the recent fund raiser for the Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund, Jockeys and Jeans, at Canterbury Park last month, he made a significant contribution as a sponsor of the event. Strangis was also the founder of the race track backside program, Quality of Life, and his support for those who suffered from substance abuse was continuing with his impact on the lives of backstretch workers impressive.
The Minnesota HBPA issued a statement on their Facebook page that read, in part, “His many contributions to Minnesota racing are difficult to fully quantify. As one of his associates said, ‘Our Chairman was one of a kind.’ He was indeed and will be greatly missed. On behalf of the Minnesota HBPA, we extend our condolences to the family of Mr. Strangis.”
Randy Sampson, President of Canterbury Park said, “Ralph’s leadership at the Minnesota Racing Commission will truly be missed. His contributions to the racing industry in Minnesota over the years cannot be overemphasized. In his two terms as Chair he faced a number of difficult issues and he always handled them with intelligence and fairness.”
The wake will be held on Tuesday, August 21 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Minneapolis from 4:00 -8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, August 22 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Minneapolis. Burial to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
