Richard Paul Riggs, 82, of Prosser, entered into the arms of the Lord on August 7, 2015 at Kadlec Regional Medical Center.
Born on September 17, 1932 in Las Animas, Colorado to Edward and Mildred (Goodrich) Riggs and his family moved to Wapato where he attended elementary school and then Outlook Middle School. He graduated from Sunnyside High School in 1951 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served three tours in Korea during his five years of service.
On November 25, 1951, Dick married his high school sweetheart and lifetime love Ferol Shaw in Sunnyside. In 1957, they moved to a small farm in Prosser to raise their family. Here he raised cattle and was a proud grower of Welch’s grapes.
Following his honorable discharge, Dick attended Richland Barber School and joined his brother, Ron, at Ron’s Barber Shop. He worked for R.E. Powell in Grandview for a number of years. Dick later retired from Hanford in Richland WA. Along the way, Dick made many friends with whom he enjoyed years of laughter, conversation and a reputation as a hard worker who was ready and willing to lend a hand.
An active and outgoing individual, Dick was an accomplished boxer during high school and into his Navy years. He was a lifelong member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Prosser Lions Club and Friendship Baptist Church. He especially enjoyed camping at Mt. Rainer National Park or taking trips up to the family cabin, where he would spend his time cutting wood, watching the wildlife, building fires and sharing time with family. Perhaps what Dick was most appreciated for was dropping by (often with a treat in hand) for a chance to shoot the breeze and catch up with his family, friends and neighbors. He was a man who valued hard work, time with family and a good slice of pie.
Dick is survived by his wife of sixty-three years, Ferol Riggs of Prosser; two sons, Michael Riggs (Connie) of Spokane, Dennis Riggs (Lori) of Prosser, two daughters, Cindy Maurer (Dale) of Spokane, Diane Affholter (Andy) of Zillah, his grandchildren, Angela Parris, Amanda Prinz, Ryan Riggs, Carly, Shelby, and Tyler Maurer, Kyle and Casey Lusk ; great-grandchildren, Madeline, and Olivia Parris , Sera and Ethan Prinz; and his beloved dog, Lucy. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Ronald Riggs.
A private family graveside service will be held in the Prosser Cemetery with Full Military Honors provided by the Lower Valley Honor Guard. A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 Saturday, August 15th at Friendship Baptist Church. Visitation will be held at Prosser Funeral Home on Friday, August 14th from 3:00-6:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Union Gospel Mission. You may leave a message for the family at www.prosserfuneralhome.com
Though he will be greatly missed by his family, the memories will be cherished for a lifetime.