Barkley Airport's Manager Celebrates Retirement

On Monday a celebration was held at the Hotel 1857 in Paducah celebrating the retirement of Richard Roof after 45 years with Barkley Regional Airport.

While working at the airport, Roof saw many accomplishments, from Barkley Field becoming Barkley Regional Airport, working to change the airport's identifier from PUK to PAH, dozens of differently branded airlines operating more than a dozen different types of aircraft out of Barkley, and providing services to 10 different cities directly, among many other accomplishments.

Dennis Rouleau began his tenure as the Airport's new Executive Director on August 5. Roof has been working closely with Rouleau to ensure a smooth transition, including the work on the first stages of the new airport terminal, which will replace the current 66-year-old facility.

At the celebration, State Senator Danny Carroll, who presented Roof with a Senate Citation, and Todd Bloch, the Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Aviation, presented him with a Kentucky Ace Award. Kentucky Aviation Association President, Retired Major General Jerry Humble bestowed Richard with the KAA's highest honor, the Henry Ogrodzinski Award, for his years of service and dedication to aviation in Paducah, western Kentucky and the state.

Roof shared his contentment with serving the community, “The way I see it, it is the hard work and efforts of almost everyone here in this room, tonight, and others, that has really made the airport as successful as it has been,” he said. “It's been my pleasure to watch it happen and be a part of all of it for the last 45 years.”