Robert A. "Bob" Wiggs

LAFAYETTE - Robert A. "Bob" Wiggs passed away on Saturday, April 18, 2015, at Camelot of Broussard with his family by his side.

Bob was the son of Talbert and Lona Hall Wiggs, born February 11, 1922 in Lick Creek, Ill. His early schooling was in Anna, Ill. At age 18, he was inducted into the Army Air Corps. As a Sergeant, he was a radio operator and trained servicemen at air fields throughout the United States. He entered Southern Illinois University and graduated in 1951, the year he meet his wife of 62 years, Betty Bowen in Springfield, Ill. He graduated in Art with a Masters degree from the University of Iowa and began his teaching career. He served on the art faculties of Southern Illinois University; as a lecturer at the University of Colorado, Boulder; University of Kentucky, Lexington; and LSU, Baton Rouge. In 1965, he moved to the art faculty at the University of Southwestern Louisiana teaching sculpture and drawing from which he retired in 1987. In 1987 he received international recognition when he discovered the ninth self all-space filling polyhedron he named "Twist Octahedron". He was recommended for publication by Dr. Cyril Stanley Smith of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was then published widely in journals and on invitation lectured at conferences in Hungary, Japan, Israel, and South Africa. In addition, he and his wife traveled to China, Turkey, Great Brittan, and Europe during his active years. He won the sculpture award at the Cincinnati Contemporary Art Museum and had one-man exhibits at the LSU Student Union building, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and was represented by galleries at Chicago, Houston, and Baton Rouge. His sculpture "Four Tigers" was created on commission and installed in the Magnolia Room at the LSU Student Union Bldg. His public sculptures in Lafayette include Octaplex at Jefferson Towers, Twisted Loop on Congress, and DNA off St. Mary Street. In late 2014, his art work and polyhedral generating research was on exhibit at the Acadiana Center for The Arts in Lafayette.

He was preceded in death by his wife Betty Bowen Wiggs. He is survived by his sons Warren B. Wiggs and wife Judy of Youngsville, Calvin R. Wiggs and wife Linda of Baton Rouge, and two grandchildren, Gabrielle Wiggs of Youngsville and Aleksandr (Sasha) Wiggs of Baton Rouge, LA.

We would like to thank Dr. Karen Smith, The staff of Camelot of Broussard and Hospice of Acadiana for their care and support of Bob these last few months.

A Celebration of Bob's life will be on Saturday, April 25, 2015, in Martin & Castille's DOWNTOWN location from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com

Martin & Castille-DOWNTOWN-330 St. Landry St., Lafayette, LA 70506, 337-234-2311

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Advertiser from Apr. 23 to Apr. 25, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Wiggs

2 Entries

Ken Cooper

April 29, 2015

I was friends with Professor Wiggs' son Calvin. When I visited their home I was always impressed with Professor Wiggs' sculptures. He was a genius.

Ben Bensen

April 24, 2015

I remember having Mr. Wiggs in two drawing classes at USL way back in the early seventies. I remember sharing his love of nature as the ultimate designer. He taught us to learn from observing all that surrounds us. As a storyboard artist living in Los Angeles, for over 30 years, his quiet integrity and positive attitude served me well even though in the advertising world. I haven't seen him since the seventies, but reading his bio, it is clear, he never stopped learning.

I was also impressed by his "can do" attitude which is invaluable to succeed in the art world. At the time I had him as a teacher, he was designing and building his own home. I thought that was pretty cool!

As he was quietly in my heart in SoCal, so will he be forever!

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