Kenneth Drew Riley

Kenneth Drew Riley, born July 30, 1937 in Kansas City, Mo. His parents were Merrill Riley and Gwen Drew Riley. He lived with his parents in Honolulu, Hawaii until age 4, when his mother moved with him to Tulsa, Okla., where he was raised. Ken graduated from Central High School in Tulsa in 1954. He attended Oklahoma A & M University, which is now Oklahoma State University, with a degree in Geography and City Planning. He also served in the U.S. Marines reserve from 1955 to 1963. In 1966, Ken became the first director of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission. During that time, Ken supervised the planning of many projects involving transportation and infrastructure including I49 and the Regional Airport. In 1972, Ken became a volunteer firefighter with Springdale Fire Department, serving as Planning Officer, and he helped develop the strategic planning program through the US Fire Administration. He served as an adjunct instructor for the National Fire Academy. Also in the mid 70's, Ken was an active leader with the Boy Scouts of America. From 1982 to 1999, Ken served as the Fire Chief for the City of Rogers, Ark. According to Tom Jenkins, current Fire Chief, "Fire Chief Ken Riley has his fingerprints on nearly every progressive decision made by the RFD." He instituted the department's first paramedics, created the technical rescue program, and built three fire stations. With education and planning always a priority, he built NWA's first fire training center, which has trained thousands of firefighters throughout the multi-state region. In 2020, RFD honored Chief Riley by naming their five story training tower after him. He is remembered by the RFD as a strategic thinker, visionary and most importantly a "firefighters fire chief"." Ken enjoyed being outdoors, camping and hiking, traveling and spending time with his kids and grandkids. Kenneth is preceded in death by his son, Gregg Riley, and is survived by his wife, Jan Riley; son, Randy Riley and his wife Janae Riley; Gidget Hehl, daughter in-law; grandsons, Corey Riley, Jarrod Riley, Jackson Riley; granddaughters, Nakita Riley and Ella Riley; and great-granddaughter Peighton Riley. A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 8, 2021 at the Rogers Heritage High School Auditorium. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Rogers Fire Department Benevolent Fund. Online condolences www.WestfieldChapel.com