It may never be known how many people Robert “Bob” Maxwell has encouraged with a kind word or helped with a forgiven bill and a few groceries during hard times. What will be deeply felt, however, is the void left by the horse transport operator when he passed away in his hometown of Lexington on March 28. Maxwell had just turned 82 years old the day before.
Maxwell played an integral role in the success of everyone in the equine community through Sallee Horse Vans, a shipping company that his family bought in 1963 from Bill Sallee and grew into a freight company. National leader in horse transport.
Tara Elliott, one of Maxwell’s three daughters, said: “My father loved people and he loved horses. He spent his entire career serving both.” “For him, treating everyone equally and with respect is very important, whether you’re the hot walker working for the three-horse trainer or Mr. Phipps.”
The kindness and generosity that Maxwell shows to others every day is done for one purpose—to see those around him succeed and thrive. Hall of Fame coach Claude “Shug” McGaughey said he will never forget the support he received from Maxwell as he struggled to start his career.
While stable at Oaklawn ParkMcGaughey has just lost a major client and Maxwell will stop by his house weekly to make sure there’s groceries in the fridge.
“He’s been a great man to many people and has always been especially helpful to us young men who are trying to advance their careers,” said McGaughey. “He takes care of everyone very well. There are really no words to describe it.”
McGaughey recalls: “I was training not long ago and was at Arlington Park. “It was the end of the meeting and we all wanted to get out of there and come Keeneland. When I knew we could go to Keeneland, I went to the truck agent – who didn’t know me and had allegiance of his own – and told him I needed four trucks by Friday to Go to Lexington. The next day I had four trucks. That’s pretty good for a guy just starting out.”
Maxwell received one of his biggest rewards at Churchill Downs in 2013 when he watched McGaughey win the Kentucky Derby (G1) against globe .
Maxwell’s son Ryan said: ‘When Orb won the Derby for Shug, my dad was in tears. “For all that he did for others, he never demanded anything in return. What he got from that was to see his friends succeed and know. that he contributed to it.”
When Maxwell’s parents, Robert S. and Arminda, and sister Patsy, bought Sallee, the company owned three vans that could each carry three horses. They grew the company to a fleet of 65 trucks in 2006, when the company was acquired by Patsy’s daughter Nicole Pieratt with Perry Bozarth.
Maxwells has grown the company by focusing on providing the best customer service and the safest conditions for horses. They designed and built their own trucks and made it a priority to arrive on time. In the early days of horse transportation, a truck could be promised within a few days and sometimes might not show up at all. Bob Maxwell changed that and gained a loyal following.
“People have a high level of trust in Sallee and that’s a direct result of Bobby,” said McGaughey. “Any good company starts with a good foundation and Sallee starts with a great foundation with Bobby and his family. Bobby will bend over backwards to help you.”
Along with his parents, Maxwell also had his son-in-law, William (Bill) McNamara, died before that. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Ramona (Hempfling) Maxwell; three daughters, Maria (Bill) McNamara of Lexington, Tara (Chris) Elliott of Lexington, and Robin (John) Hudson of Nonesuch, Ky.; one son, Robert “Ryan” (Danielle) Maxwell of Union, Ky. He has six grandchildren: Joshua (Kara) McNamara, Hannah McNamara, Clayton Maxwell Elliott, Katherine “Gracie” Elliott, Mikayla Schornack and Olivia Schornack; and three great-grandchildren: Stella McNamara, Kennedy McNamara and Harrison McNamara; and sister Patsy (Bruce) Pieratt.
Maxwell graduated from Lafayette High School and was inducted into the Lafayette Hall of Fame in 1994. He later attended the University of Kentucky. Maxwell is also an avid UK basketball fan and befriends former coaches, players and officials.
“He was at the heart of the Kentucky basketball games and we talked a lot about what was going on with the show,” said McGaughey. “You can find him in the center aisle about 20 rows of seats. He’s always sitting there.”
A carriage Sallee drove into Keeneland
Maxwell served as vice president at Sallee and would go on to become a national leader in the horse transport business. Maxwell was first elected president of the National Horse Transporters Association in 1974 and held the position for more than 30 years. He also provided expert testimony for many years to the United States Congress on matters related to the transportation of live animals. Closer to home, Keeneland used his expertise to design its load chutes, and Maxwell was instrumental in the creation of the Mounted Police Unit for the Lexington-Fayette Metropolitan County Government. .
The private burial will be followed by a funeral service on Saturday, April 1, at Man O Church of War, 1501 Trent Blvd., Lexington. Visitation will take place from 12:30-2:30 pm, immediately followed by services. In lieu of flowers, the family asked for donations to the Race Chaplaincy Foundation of America or the Man O War Catholic Church. Honor bearers include: Clayton Elliott, Paul Galvan, Dean Hayes, Joshua McNamara, Justin Moritz and Dick Parsons.
