Former NGFA President Donald K. Riffe, 89, the long-time president of Stratford Grain Co., Stratford, TX, passed away on Dececember 28.
According to the NGFA, Riffe served as NGFA’s president from 1978-80, and helped lead the Association through a tumultuous period following the catastrophic series of grain elevator explosions at the New Orleans and Texas Gulfs during the winter of 1977-78. He helped spearhead the development of NGFA’s Fire and Explosion Research and Education Program that spent more than $3.5 million in industry-generated funds to determine the causes and ways of preventing such incidents, and led to fundamental redesigns and safety-protection devices and procedures now widely used by the industry, thereby saving lives and dramatically improving workplace safety.
Donald Keith Riffe, born April 9, 1930, to Emma Shirley Kugle Riffe and Earl Nathan Riffe. He married Gaynelle Parker in 1956. They added to this union five children: Andrew K. (Karen) Riffe, Laura (Stan) Carter, Carrie (Jim) Smith, Diann (Wade) Williams and Christopher N. (Ronna) Riffe.
The family business, Stratford Grain Company established in 1928, is an active supporter of the community, schools, and area and grain business. Don is a Past President of Panhandle Grain and Feed, past board member of Texas Grain and Feed, past board member of the National Grain and Feed Association. He also is President of Farmers Elevator in Goodwell, OK.
His full obituary can be viewed here.
