WDBJ7 Roanoke News and Weather NRV Lynchburg Danville | Roller skaters celebrate retirement of long-time Roanoke rink owner

Roller skaters celebrate retirement of long-time Roanoke rink owner

Many, many times around the rink, and 38 years later, Raymond Setchel is putting away his skates.

"It's a long run, but it's a short run," says Setchel.  "You get to come in and see all these great kids."

The kids call him "Satch."  He's the sole reason generations of them keep skating around the Star City Sk8 and Fun Zone in Roanoke.

"I've worked with a lot of kids, and I hope I've done some good," says Setchel.

The kids say he's done a lot of good, but now he's retiring.

"I hate to see him go, but at the same token, if anyone deserves a retirement, he does," says Ricky Brooks.

Setchel bought the rink in 1971 and first retired in 1999 due to health reasons. He came out of retirement in 2005, but for the second round, he's saying his goodbyes.

At his retirement party Sunday afternoon, there were teary eyes and lot of hugs.  But it wasn't just about the skating.

Ask anyone how many lives he's touched, and they'll tell you.

"Thousands," says Brooks.  "I wouldn't be exaggerating.  I'd say thousands."

"I started here when I was nine or ten years old, and I've known him ever since," says Marvin Saink.

Many parents said they'll remember Setchel not only for providing good, clean fun, but for keeping kids off the streets and in line.

"He'd rather have them come in here and skate for free, whatever to keep them off the streets and out of trouble," says Saink.

"You will have trouble every once in awhile, but you deal with it.  You talk to the kids, try to work it out," says Setchel.  "But these kids have done a world of good for me. They've kept me going."

The kids truly think the world of him, even decades later.

"Well, I hope the tradition continues on for the new folks that are taking it over, but there will never be another Satch," says Brooks.