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Kenton Fiscal Court declares Sen. Richard Roeding Day, recognizes induction of Farris into Veterans HoF


By Mark Hansel
NKyTribune managing editor

Tuesday was a night for proclamations and the recognition of some of Northern Kentucky’s most prominent leaders at Kenton County Fiscal Court.

The family of the late Sen. Richard “Dick” Roeding join Kenton County Fiscal Court in recognizing Nov. 28, 2017 as “Richard Roeding Day” in the county (photos by Mark Hansel).

State Sen. Richard “Dick” Roeding, served in the General Assembly from 1991 to 2009 and passed away in October. He was recognized by the Kenton County Fiscal Court with the declaration of November 28, 2017 as “Richard Roeding Day.”

Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann read the proclamation to those in attendance and presented it to his widow, Nancy Roeding.

It read, in part:

“Sen. Richard Roeding served 18 year as a Kentucky State Senator from the years 1991 to 2009 and served in many leadership roles…Whereas Sen. Richard Roeding was a Korean War veteran and served our country proudly in the United States Army. He was an exceptionally loving husband, father grandfather and great grandfather. He will be remembered for his love of family and his moral fortitude. And, whereas, the Kenton County Fiscal Court wishes to hereby offer their deepest sympathy and respect for a man who worked tirelessly for the citizens of Kentucky. We acknowledge November 28, 2017 as Richard Roeding Day.”    

Kenton County Commissioner Jon Draud has fond memories of Roeding.

“I can tell you this, he was Mr. Republican in Frankfort and nobody ever worked harder for the Republican Party than Dick Roeding,” Draud said. “He certainly saw his main dream come true of the Republican Party taking over the Kentucky Senate. He was so proud of that and was one of the main reasons it happened.”

Roeding was a registered pharmacist and a graduate of Xavier University and the University of Cincinnati. Some of his other involvements and affiliations included: U.S. Army, Ky Pharmacists Assoc, past Director, Northern KY Pharmacists Assoc., Diocesan Catholic Children’s Home, Covington/Kenton Co Lions Club, Ft. Mitchell Board of Adjustment. He was named National Legislator of the year by the National Republican Legislature Assoc.,  and received the Legislative award from the American Pharmacy Services Corp., and KY League of Cities Legislative award.

Farris receives Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame recognition

Oakley Farris, left, was recognized for his induction into the Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame by Kenton County Sheriff Charles “Chuck”Korzenborn, H.B. Deatherage and (not shown) Gary Griesser and Bill D’Andrea.

Covington resident and Northern Kentucky philanthropist Oakley Farris was named to the 2017 Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame, but was unable to attend the ceremony in Frankfort in September.

Tuesday night, KVHOF Executive Director H.B. Deatherage, and board members, Gary Griesser, Bill D’Andrea, and Kenton County Sheriff Chuck Korzenborn, all Northern Kentuckians, brought the ceremony to Farris at the Fiscal Court meeting.

Griesser read Farris’s biography that was included in the induction ceremony.

“Cpl. Oakley Farris, Covington, KY., enlisted in the Army immediately after graduating high school in 1943, during WWII, serving for two years (Farris says three). His advanced training was as a machine gunner at Camp Rucker. Any idea of becoming an Army truck driver ended, he jokingly remembers, after he wrecked three trucks. Farris was shipped overseas in June, 1944, serving with Battery A of the 358th Field Artillery Battalion in Northern France, the Rhineland and Central Europe. His unit was engaged in combat during the Battle of the Bulge.

Oakley was a traveling salesman for a Cincinnati firm selling notions for 31 years. He bought and refurbished rental homes in Covington, at one point owning over 40 rentals, including the entire block of 15th and Greenup streets. He soon became involved in civic philanthropy, donating millions of dollar to local and statewide causes, mostly in the name of his beloved wife, Eva. Among the many beneficiaries of his family’s philanthropy are the City of Covington, Covington Holly Cross High School, Thomas More College, Northern Kentucky University, the Baker-Hunt Foundation, St. Elizabeth Hospital, Behringer-Crawford Museum, Villa Madonna Academy, Gateway Community & Technical College, and KET. HE has commissioned several public statues and monuments, including one at a local cemetery to honor veterans and his brother Clofus, killed during the Korean War. The Smithsonian has produced an insightful hour-long documentary detailing Oakley’s service to his community and to the Commonwealth of KY. “   

Tim Broering of TBNK (center) recognizes the contributions of Kenton County Judge Kris Knochelmann and Digital Communications Coordinator Sara Sgantas to the award-winning Kenton County Today program.

Farris said he was honored for the recognition and was so sorry his wife, Eva, couldn’t accompany him.

“It’s because of my wife that I’m here,” Farris said. “My best deal was when I convinced that woman to be my wife because she convinced me that I could do anything I wanted to do, and believe me she was right. Just look around Northern Kentucky and you can see what my wife is responsible for through me.”

Knochelmann also read a proclamation declaring the Month of November as “Diabetes Action Month” in Kenton County.

Tim Broering, TBNK executive director, delivered a presentation recognizing the achievements of Knochelmann and Kenton County Digital Communications Coordinator Sara Sgantas. The TBNK program Kenton County Today, hosted by Knochelmann, received a National Communicator’s Award of Distinction for Video Programming.

Broering presented the Fiscal Court with a replica of the trophy, and Knochelmann and Sgantas with certificates, in recognition of their respective contributions to the program.

Contact Mark Hansel at mark.hansel@nkytrib.com


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