"Vernal G. Riffe, Jr." In Memory: 1925-1997 This mural shows Vern Riffe as Speaker of the House of Representatives of the State of Ohio, a post he held for a record-breaking 20 consecutive years. He also served as a member of the House of Representatives for 36 years, also an Ohio record for consecutive years served. The state mourned the loss of Mr. Riffe on July 31, 1997. Among the honors bestowed upon Mr. Riffe were Happy Hearts School renamed Vern Riffe School (Portsmouth), Vern Riffe Joint Vocational School (Pike County), Vern Riffe Drive (to Scioto County Joint Vocational School), the 31-story Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts at State and High streets (along with a 4-foot cast bronze bust inside), an academic building at Ohio State University and Vern Riffe Center for the Arts at Shawnee State University. Mr. Riffe is widely recognized as one of the greatest benefactors of Shawnee State University and his portrait rightly joins the mural showing the modern day expansion of the University. Mural completed in 1995. After his retirement, Riffe opened Vern Riffe & Associates, at 37 W. Broad St., Columbus, a public-policy consulting business. He also continued as president of Vern Riffe Insurance in New Boston. Return to main mural page or NEXT Economic Development | Info & Statistics | Events & Attractions Our County & Communities | News | Contacts | Home Free JavaScripts provided by The JavaScript Source © 1998-02 Scioto County Government. Photos by Shari Caudill. All rights reserved.