Dr. David Lee Riggs Jr.

Dr. David Lee Riggs, Jr., passed unexpectedly on August 9, 2022, surrounded by all his children and wife who mutually shared a deep, engaged love throughout their lives. He was in the prime of his career and at the center of many others'. He was a master mentor who joined Jesus, Mary, Augustine, Erasmus, and the community of saints at age 55. His impact was large in many ways, including his profile.

Born in Newport Beach, CA, raised in Laguna Hills, CA, he became an academic All-American tight end for Azusa Pacific University where he met his mentor and lifelong friend, Dr. Jerry Pattengale. Since 2000, he also became his colleague at Indiana Wesleyan University and was passionately and humbly involved in community projects for the greater good of all people.

David married his high school sweetheart, Laura (Godknecht) Riggs, herself a gifted cross-country runner and student at APU. They were married for 33 beautiful years and her CPA degree would complement his career path through a M.Div. at Princeton Seminary and a M.Phil. and D.Phil. at Oxford University (Christchurch). He concentrated research on the religious world of late antiquity, and spirituality and liberal learning. David became a welcome voice in classical societies and the formative voice for many in the national honors college community. He built and directed (most recently as dean) the amazing John Wesley Honors College at IWU – described by many as the nation's best Christian honors college. He was, indeed, sui generis.

He began his mornings religiously doing Bible and Latin studies on split computer screens in his inviting campus office, with the same faded truck parked outside for most of his IWU tenure. It was also of little surprise that he named their four beloved children Patrick Augustin Emmanuel Riggs (Jenna Nicole Keele Riggs), Christian Nicholas Tertullian Riggs, Cathryn Alexandria Perpetua Riggs, and Faith Brigette Felicitas Riggs. Alex is named for David's mother, Cathryn Riggs, who passed in 2021. David and his family were beacons of familial love to their College Wesleyan Church community and others via how they cared for and loved on her through many years of a debilitating illness. In a sense, it was David's penultimate mentoring of many. And his life's final exclamation mark is found in his children, students, and colleagues. Various of them, like a Tolkien scene, descended on Marion upon hearing word of his passing – a visible testimony to their herculean heritage.

Dr. Lisa Toland, who has since developed the Honors Program at Montreat College, wrote, "So many of us owe David our careers in Christian higher education. This deep sense of obligation, fueled by immense gratitude and love, motivates my work daily, and the leadership I provide now is possible only because of his care for me as his apprentice."

Dr. Amy Peeler, now a celebrated author and professor at Wheaton College (IL), shared, "David was the hub of the beautiful community that was the JWHC.... Upon meeting him, his gruff exterior only shielded his warm, inviting, passionate, and selfless heart for about 2 min.... David facilitated our little community of self-giving love so that we were drawn deeper into awe of the divine community of self-giving love."

Dr. Rusty Hawkins, among the JWHC leadership team, wrote, "David's pursuit of Truth inspired countless students and colleagues to love God and neighbor better through the renewing of their minds; he was a gifted teacher, generous mentor, tireless advocate, and loyal friend. I will miss him, always."

Julia VanderMolen, in a key administrative role in the Provost's office at Calvin College, said, "David was the best friend to disagree with because he'd make you work for it, and he never held a grudge. He taught me what it meant to put on the life of Christ, because his own life was so wrapped up in it. He was an intellectual giant, a lion-hearted (and -haired) administrator, and a relentless advocate for the humanities and liberal arts.... The only thing more deep and booming than his voice was the subwoofer blasting his playlist when he thought no one else was left in the office at night."

Dr. Sameer Yadav, a professor at Westmont College (CA), wrote, "David Riggs was among the most passionate and intense visionaries in Christian higher education that I have ever known, and his life and work continue to impact not only me but all of my students through his formative influence on me."

Jerry Pattengale summarized many, "David filled a door frame, and opened doors for many. I believe some angels are larger than others, and in their long refreshing shadows we will flourish. We will love David until our last horizon."

In addition to his wife and children, and friends across many horizons, David is survived by his father, David Lee Riggs, Sr. (Jean Ann Riggs), siblings, Doug Riggs (Christa Basnight) and Gretchen Stephenson (Frank Stephenson), and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Indiana Wesleyan University (John Wesley Honors College Students Fund), 4201 S. Washington St., Marion, IN 46953.

Visitation will take place from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at College Wesleyan Church, 200 E. 38th St., Marion, IN, on Thursday, August 25, 2022.

On Friday, August 26, 2022, additional visitation will take place from 11 a.m. to noon followed by the funeral service at noon. Dr. Chris Bounds will be officiating.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN.

Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.