Photos by SAM DEAN The Roanoke Times

Star City Family FunZone employee Mike Robertson hangs a banner for Sunday afternoon's retirement party for Raymond Setchel. Setchel has run the rink for more than 30 years, but health issues are forcing him to give it up. His last day will be Friday.

Raymond "Satch" Setchel is hugged by one of many well-wishers who dropped by Star City Family FunZone on Sunday for his retirement party. He invited former skaters back for the celebration.

Raymond Setchel is saying goodbye, again.

For more than 30 years, Setchel has run Star City Family FunZone, a skating rink on Hershberger Road in Roanoke County.

In 1999, he and his wife, Peggy, retired to Florida. But they moved back to the Roanoke area and bought back the rink in 2005 after hearing about how it had fallen into disrepair.

On Sunday afternoon, Setchel, better known as "Satch," and his family hosted an open house so he could say goodbye a second time. Health issues have forced the 69-year-old to retire again.

"If it wasn't for that, you couldn't beat me out with a pole," he said.

Hundreds of people gathered at the skate center to reminisce with Setchel, who has influenced generations of children who grew up going to his rink.

Maurine Eggers, who skated at the rink as a teenager, came to see Setchel with her children and grandchildren, all of whom have also skated there.

The rink holds special significance for the Eggers family because it is where Eggers met her husband, Ralph, more than 30 years ago.

They have considered Setchel a part of their family since then, she said.

"We'd be lost without him" she said.

When the Eggers bought their first home, Setchel made sure they had the money they needed for the down payment.

When Eggers was pregnant and too sick to work at the rink's snack bar, Setchel sent food home for her.

"He's like that with everybody," Eggers said. "If he thinks you've got a need, he's going to be there."

For others, Setchel was a father figure who kept them off the streets and out of trouble.

"He taught me a lot of life lessons," said Patrick Worley, 38. "You knew that you didn't screw up, because you had to mess with Satch if you did."

A few former skaters pointed to a bench near Setchel's office where they would have to sit and wait to be disciplined.

Also, some retired Roanoke County sheriff's deputies who at one time provided security at the rink came out for the party.

They said Setchel did the community a favor by providing children with a safe, fun place to be on weekends and in the summer.

"Some of them would've been in trouble, but they were out here and had something to do," said Walter Delaney, a retired deputy.

In 2005, Setchel's large network of friends showed their gratitude by helping the Setchels resurrect the rink.

Former skaters came back with mops and paintbrushes to disinfect the floors and walls, coat the interior walls with paint and replace ceiling tiles and faulty plumbing and wiring.

Setchel's last day at the rink will be Friday. A local businessman bought the rink, and Setchel said that he was promised it would remain open to the public.

For the thousands who spent their summers and weekends on skates, Setchel's retirement marks the end of an era.

"I hate to see him retire," said Ricky Brooks, a former skater. "But by the same token, if there is someone who deserves it, he does."