Robert C. Riggs

Robert C. Riggs

Forked River - Robert C. Riggs, age 65, of Forked River passed away on Sunday, April 25th, 2021 at his home surrounded by his family and friends after a brief battle with a very aggressive cancer. Born in Philadelphia, he lived in Barnegat at a very young age before moving to and growing up in Ship Bottom, coming to Forked River in 1978. He graduated from Valley Forge Military Academy as a Cadet 2nd Lieutenant in 1973. Bob then went on to attend and graduate from Mercer County Community College Mortuary Science Program's first class of Funeral Directors in 1976. Bob was the long-time Manager of Riggs Funeral Home in Forked River and owner of the Riggs/Bugbee-Riggs Funeral Homes in Forked River, Barnegat and Ship Bottom. He was the Past President of the Fish Hawks, a member of the Forked River Tuna Club, a member of the Lacey Elks and always supported local organizations. Bob was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying every facet of being in the woods or on the water. He loved to fish, but his favorite pastime was to hunt. He had traveled Worldwide to exotic locations, from North and South America to Africa; he participated in Safaris with his hunting friends, returning with trophies and legendary stories of their travels.

Bob was predeceased by his parents Charles and Virginia Riggs, his older brother Charles in 1955 and his younger brother Gary in 1992. Surviving are his wife of 43 years Cynthia (nee May), his son Robert and his wife Victoria, his daughter Julie, his grandsons Milo, Dustin and Orin, all of Forked River. His niece Crystal Muckelston and her family of Ship Bottom, lifelong friends Retired Army Colonel Jack Lechner and his wife Debbie and their children of Cincinnati, OH, and his right-hand man at work for the past 30 years Jay T. Hartmann.

A Viewing will be held on Sunday, May 2nd, 2021 from 2:00-5:00pm at Riggs Funeral Home, 130 North Route 9, Forked River. A Funeral Liturgy will be offered from St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 747 West Bay Ave, Barnegat on Monday at 11:00am. Cremation will be private. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Bob's memory to the World Wildlife Foundation through their website at gifts.worldwildlife.org.