Virginia Capitol Connections, 2025 Annual Magazine 15 After a long week in session, my father couldn’t—or wouldn’t— simply come home to rest. He would host town halls almost every Friday evening until 10 or 11 at night to talk to his constituents about his work in Richmond. He was making good on his campaign promises. Here are just a few of the accomplishments my father attained during his career in the House of Delegates and Senate. He was especially passionate about workforce training, economic development, and education during his time in office. My father led the effort to create scholarships and forgivable loans through the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission tuition program. It was a way to educate the tobacco region’s young people and encourage them to return to the area to re-establish their roots. He worked with community colleges and businesses to create certification programs that allowed trades to be learned in weeks or months—leading to industry certifications that enabled employment much faster than traditional two-year degrees. My father recognized the gap in skilled labor and understood that not all young adults wish to pursue a college education. He was a leader in workforce training for today’s needs, helping to better align skills training with the modern economy and available well-paying jobs. This required community colleges to work closely with area businesses to better understand the skills needed in each region. He was also a leader in reforming economic development to expand existing businesses and attract new employers. He worked with prospective job creators to encourage them to come to Southside. From assisting with funding for industrial parks to enhancing tourism, from working with the Governor and local leaders to recruit new industries, to the creation of a much needed law enforcement hazardous driving school—he was a champion for small-town communities across his district. He helped found and fund GO Virginia to provide targeted economic development efforts for all regions of the Commonwealth. My father served as chairman of the Tobacco Commission and continued to serve on the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission as a citizen member in 2024, a title appointed to him by Governor Youngkin. He was the lead sponsor for founding the Center for Rural Virginia in 2004 and served on the original Rural Virginia Prosperity Commission, holding positions as Chair and Vice Chair of the Center. In March 2024, the Center for Rural Virginia was renamed the Senator Frank M. Ruff, Jr. Center for Rural Virginia in his honor, recognizing his hard work and dedication to the organization and to Southside Virginia as a whole. My father also served on the Advisory Board for the Virginia Rural Leadership Institute from its inception in 2022 until his passing in 2024. He contributed his expertise and countless volunteer hours to help establish the program as a model for cultivating the next generation of rural leaders. Even after his cancer diagnosis, he continued working on many commissions and committees, sharing his vast knowledge and experience. I was fortunate to be present with my family when a joint resolution was passed in his memory in February of this year. It highlighted just some of his many accomplishments. This spring, the Clarksville YMCA—of which he was an active member— honored his legacy by dedicating their new 25-acre expansion in his name. The Frank Ruff Memorial Park will be a community hub for all to enjoy. My father’s political career gave him the opportunity to serve the greater good. His business experience and sharp mind made him someone sought out on nearly every issue, with requests to serve on committees and boards beyond the standing committees he served on during session. He saw many young people leaving Southern Virginia due to a lack of opportunities, and he worked tirelessly to change that. Above all the awards and titles, his greatest achievement was having the honor of representing the people of Southside Virginia. He worked hard to make it possible for families to stay together by providing educational and employment opportunities that allowed them to remain in the area while still enjoying the quality-of-life rural Virginia offers. His work symbolized his life—if he saw a problem, he worked with both sides of the aisle to fix it and create a better outcome for all. He was the man behind the scenes, building a better life in our rural communities—not for recognition, but to strengthen them. Humble and unassuming, my father was a man of strong character, deep faith, a wonderful sense of humor, high intelligence, and compassion. He always saw the best in people and always worked for the good of the people. His passing hasn’t been easy for my family by any means. However, knowing how much heart and soul he put into his life’s work makes it easier. His love and care for Southside Virginia and its people are evident in everything he did. Genevieve Lazzarotti is the daughter of Frank Ruff. She is an elementary school librarian at Chesterfield County Public Schools. Frank Ruff (third from right) with his family in southern Virginia. V
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NjQ0MA==