Robert Rigg

So many years later, I looked Dr. Rigg up. I worked with him in Alaska when he was the Regional Flight Surgeon and wondered how he was. I was so sad to learn that he had passed. Not only was he a wonderful man to work for, but he saved my eyesight! He invited me to have my eyes checked and we found that I had glaucoma and the pressure in my eyes was so high that I could have lost my vision. He referred me to a colleague who immediately did eye surgery. Today I can still see because of his expertise. I will forever be grateful. Thank you for everything Dr. Rigg.

Every couple years I'd visit Dr Rigg for my flight physical. I talked of my time in the bush outside Churchill and he talked of his time in Alaska. His eyes lit up when we spoke of aviation. Then, I noticed his eyes
really lit up when he spoke of his family. He was proud of you and he definitely had his priorities right.

I was absolutely impressed by his man and saddened to learn of his death. Please find comfort and peace.

All of us at Gateway Canyons Air Tours send our deepest condolences to the Rigg family. Dr Rigg will be so very missed, and celebrated for his life and achievements.

My family sends our prayers to the Rigg family. Dr. Rigg was my Aviation Medical examiner and I really enjoyed the time I spent with him. I will miss his stories and kind words of wisdom,

I send my deepest condolences to Bob's family. Bob was my Dad's (John Harper)best friend. They went through school,and college together, but the stories I heard most was the river running trips down Glen Canyon. He was the one that taught my Dad to run the river and become a great boatman in the early 1950's. It saddens me to see another one of my Dad's dear friends has passed away since his passing in 2009. Now Bob and Dad can talk about the good old days of hunting, fishing and river running together once again. Bob was a wonderful man and will be deeply missed.

My sincerest condolences to Dr. Rigg's loved ones. He was my aviation medical examiner for many years. He was a fine man and an excellent doctor.

I only met Bob once, at the wedding celebration of his granddaughter Kate and my son Noah. However, we had a great conversation and the comments from his family about his joy of life and the desire to share this with others are certainly consistent with the man that I met and should be a great reason for hope and celebration of his life.

See you at the Ferry, Cuz.

Karen and family, I am so sorry to hear of Dr Riggs passing. He was definitely one in a million and will be truly missed by everyone that was blessed to have known him. My memories of working for him at Fairmount Eye Care are priceless, I laughed everyday when he would bring in his cooler of fudge! He was truly an amazing man, and his kindness and compassion filled a lot of hearts. I will miss you Dr Rigg......

Sorry to hear of his passing. He was one of my heroes, and was instrumental in my joining the Church so many years ago. Best wishes to the family.

My sincerest condolences to the Rigg's family and friends.

I first heard about the 1951 Rigg - Rigg “speed trip” during an National Park Service Boatman Training Seminar Colorado River Trip with Dan Davis and Robert C. Euler, and later read about the journey in the paper Dan Davis sent me, “Voyages Down the Colorado,” (November 19, 1957?), 1-22, p. 16. I briefly mentioned the Rigg brothers' trip in my book, Adventuring in Arizona. San Francisco: Sierra Club Cooks, 1991 (p. 240), 1996 (p. 290), UA Press 2003 (p. 290).

[Was Bob Riggs the same person who reportedly built the trail down Hack Canyon with Pres Swapp used by writer Rosalie and photographer Melvin Goldstein “The Wrinkled Pink Walls of Kanab Canyon,” Arizona Highways (July 1964): 32-35?]

Bob Rigg remains an inspiration to me.

Rest in Peace,

John Annerino
[email protected]

In the night of death, hope sees a star, and listening love can hear the rustle of a wing.
~ Robert Ingersoll

You are in my thoughts and prayers at this time.

Karen and family, Im am sorry to hear of your loss. I know Dr Rigg from working with him for 3 years at Fairmount Eye Care. He was an inspiration and had the best stories. My thoughts and prayers are with you!! He will be missed!

As a friend of Nancy Rigg, I want to express my sympathy for your loss. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers at this time.

Dr. Bob was a wonderful person. A pleasure to work with in Alaska. My condolences to his family. He will be missed by so many. Such an easy person to talk to and so kind.
Victoria (Torri) Clark, PalmCoast, Fl

Dr. Bob was my Flight Surgeon in Alaska. I always looked forward to my annual flight physical because Bob always took time to talk airplanes and Alaskan flying besides the usual stuff. He was a man of high quality and a good friend. Both Alice and I were saddened by the notice of his passing and send our sincere condolences to the entire Rigg family.

What can you say with a loss like this? I feel blessed to have worked with and to have known this man. He was truly a gift to everyone who knew him. He always lit up the room when he walked in. He will truly be missed. Here's to one of God's newest angels.

A wonderful wonderful man, who helped so many pilots. He was so supportive, friendly and an inspiration for how to live life for others.

Karen: Dottye and I are saddened to hear of Bob's passing. We last saw him while we were on a fishing trip to Marble Canyon. He was getting ready to make another trip down the Colorado River. He was a good friend. He will be missed.

I so enjoyed working with Dr. Rigg at FAA in Seattle on his visits. He was a very light hearted and kind person--I am sorry for your loss.

We so much enjoyed visiting in Anchorage, Marble Canyon and Grand Jct. My river friend we will miss you, and send condolences to your family.

Karen and Family, I am very sorry to hear of Bob's passing. I always enjoyed and appreciated his wisdom, kind words and advice.

As a member of the Grand Canyon River guiding community, I am so sorry to hear of Bob's passing. He was a luminary in our river world, and we have lost some of the very big shoulders that we stand on as guides in the canyon and throughout the Southwest. Thanks Bob, for showing us the way.

I'm so sorry to hear of Dr. Bob's passing. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. It was always a pleasure to see him and have a chance to reminisce about our family. He was a kind man and will be greatly missed.

Karen and family - Lee and I were so sorry to hear that Dr. Bob passed away. So glad that we had a chance to see him and visit over breakfast when we were there in May. He was always so supportive of me when I worked for and with him for those 20 years or so in the Medical Division and he was always there for me personally as well. I will never forget him. I know how much you and your entire family meant to him and I know how much he will be missed by you all as well as all the friends he had everywhere he had lived and worked. Our condolences to you all.

Sorry to hear about Dr. Rigg~ He was one of a kind! After growing up in Grand Junction we were neighbors in Alaska.for many years. Sending sympathy to Karen and the kids.

Karen, Thinking of you in this hour of sorrow and extending heartfelt sympathy. Remembering our time in Alaska FAA office and our team of friends there and the good times and adventures. Pat Sanders

If all physicians had Bob Rigg's kindess, caring, and sense of service, medical care would be transformed.

Bob Rigg is a fellow Grand Canyon river runner whom I met 25 years ago at a GC River Guides training session in Flagstaff, and at many other boatmen get togethers. I was also fortunate enough to run the GC with him on the Old Timers trip in 1994. His enthusiasm and love for the canyons and rivers of the Southwest were always infectious. A grand guy whom I'll never forget. My heart goes out to Karen and the rest of the family. Remember all the good times and love.

What a loss. This man was truly one of those rare 'salt of the earth ' type of people. The aviation community will surely miss him. Thanks for being a part of our lives Doc.

Karen and Family: We were very sad to learn of the death of Dr. It brought back memories of our time in AK. I had just looked at pictures of our Medical Division FAA picnic with you and him attending. He was special in so many ways. Our deepest sympathy to you. Larry and Mary Grindrod

I am so sad to learn of the passing of Dr. Robert W. Rigg. We were friends through the Church in Anchorage, Alaska, he was my ophthalmologist and he approved my pilot's ticket. I am a couple of years older than Bob but he had about 20 years more adventures than I. What a wonderful man. My condolences to the very large family. George M. Hansen

I never knew Bob, but I know and work with his daughter Regan Rigg. She is not only an incredible teacher, but a wonderful human being. He did a wonderful job of raising and gifting us Regan into our school and community. Our condolences and prayers go out to Regan and the family......Darrin Karuzas, Principal at Sedona Red Rock High School.