Robert E. DeWald, a retired real estate developer and a horseman, died March 16 of respiratory failure at Union Memorial Hospital. The former Lakeside resident was 68.

Robert Eugene DeWald, the son of a real estate developer and a homemaker, was born in Baltimore and raised in Highlandtown and later on Chesterfield Avenue in Mayfield.

After graduating from Polytechnic Institute in 1959, where he lettered in three varsity sports - football, wrestling and baseball - he began his college studies at the University of Pittsburgh.

He left Pitt in 1961 and enrolled at the University of Maryland, College Park. He then dropped out to pursue a professional football career. He was about to sign with the New York Jets when the Baltimore Colts intervened and signed him in 1963.

Released after pulling a hamstring, he secured a tryout with the Washington Redskins, who cut him from the preseason 1963 roster.

He later played with the minor league Harrisburg [Pa.] Capitols until a series of recurring injuries ended his career.

Mr. DeWald then went to work for his father developing and managing properties. In 1988, father and son began training racehorses.

A severe stroke the next year that left Mr. DeWald in a wheelchair did not deter him from working as his father's assistant trainer.

He retired after his father's death in 1998.

Since 2007, he had been a resident of the Keswick Multi-Care Center in Roland Park.

Services were Saturday.

Surviving are two brothers, James C. DeWald of Baltimore and Dr. Charles G. DeWald of East Amherst, N.Y.; a nephew; three nieces; and his companion of 40 years, Dolly Sperenzella of Abingdon.