Richard RIGGAN

RIGGAN, SIMONS, OLSON, HINDERKS, HANDY

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/1/2008 at 14:56:38

The Ames Tribune, Ames, Iowa
February 24, 2006

Richard Riggan, 80, died Tuesday, Feb. 21, at Orange City Hospital. Memorial services will be at American Reformed Church, Orange City, where he was a member, at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25.

Richard was born Oct. 4, 1925, in Altoona to Vernice and Sarah (Simons) Riggan. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, serving in Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima. Following his discharge, he graduated from Des Moines Tech High School. and Drake University. He then served an additional year in the USMC during the Korean Conflict. Later, he earned two master's degrees from the University of South Dakota.

He taught English and speech in high schools at Fenton, Clarion, Madrid, Pocahontas and Orange City. After that, he was a rural mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service until he retired. His special joy was woodworking in the shop his children designed and built for him. Many have shared in the treasures he made there. He also enjoyed visiting with family and friends, telling stories of his life.

He married Nancy Olson July 8, 1956, in Bode. To this union were born four children: Kelly (Tim) Hinderks of Ames, Tracy (Nancy) Riggan of Winnetk, Ill., Derek (Karen) Riggan of Spokane, Wash., and Tara (Brett) Handy of Norfolk, Neb. There are 12 grandchildren: Lisle Hinderks, Tyler Hinderks, Amanda Hinderks, R. Cody Riggan, Kelsey Riggan, Clayton Riggan, Hailey Riggan, Brynden Riggan, Marena Riggan, Sidney Riggan, Taylynn Handy and Kaitlin Handy. All of the above survive him.

His body was donated to the University of Iowa Medical School. Visitation with the family will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. tonight at Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City. Memorials may be directed to the Orange City Hospital, to honor the loving care its employees give to the patients.