James Miller WIGGERT

James Miller Wiggert, 83, of Blacksburg, died on Sunday, February 17, 2013, at Lewis Gale Hospital Montgomery. He was born on October 26, 1929, in McZena, Ohio to the late Rev. Walter Karl Wiggert and Naomi Caroline Miller Wiggert. Jim attended school in Cleveland, Ohio and Roseville, Michigan. After graduating from Roseville High School, he attended Capital University in Columbus, Ohio before transferring to the University of Michigan, where he majored in civil engineering. After receiving his B.S., he worked for the United States Bureau of Reclamation and then joined the Navy Civil Engineering Corps. He received his M.S. from Michigan and taught at Michigan Tech in Houghton. After he received his Ph.D. from University of Michigan, he and his family came to Blacksburg in 1962, where he taught Hydrology and Hydraulics at Virginia Tech until 1991.
Jim was active in campus politics, serving as president of the Faculty Senate and the Reconciliation Committee. He also served on the YMCA Committee for a number of years. He co-authored a textbook titled Applied Hydraulics in Engineering.
Jim is survived by Millie Laitinen Wiggert, his wife of 59 years. Other survivors include John and Jeanette Wiggert, Jane and Miller Williams, Sarah and Mark Duban, and Beth Wiggert; grandchildren, James Whitaker, Rachel Whitaker, Jessica Wiggert, and Jamie Wiggert; great-grandchildren Hannah Bishop and Landon Bishop; his sisters, Lois Luoma and Martha (Mike) Murphy; and brother, David (Kristie) Wiggert; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 20, 2013, at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church. The family will receive friends at the church following the service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601-2633 or to Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, 600 Toms Creek Road, Blacksburg, VA 24060.