Cary Dalton Riggs

Cary Dalton Riggs, 76, of Rochester Hills, MI, passed away on December 14, 2023. He was born on September 15, 1947, in Rochester, IN, to the late Rex Riggs and Mary Riggs Quick.
To say Cary (Dad, Papa) was a beloved member of his family and his community is an understatement. To know him was to love him. He never met a stranger and always assumed positive intent in people. Cary believed in second chances and played the peacemaker many times in his life. He had a forgiving and understanding nature. Cary had a gift for storytelling and finding humor in any situation. He cherished his childhood friends and never forgot his roots. He taught his grandchildren how to ride bikes and shared stories about his own childhood, which we never tired of hearing. Cary never took his relationships with his children and grandchildren for granted, having lost his own father at a young age. He loved his wife, Jan, with everything he had and believed in the sanctity of marriage. If Cary gave you his word, he meant it. He faced adversity with a positive attitude, trusting in God and living his life with integrity. His 76 years on this earth were a gift to be cherished always.
Cary is survived by his loving wife, Janet Ann Riggs (Alberston); children, Cary Jackson Riggs and wife Angie Riggs, and Amanda Marie Riggs Conner and husband Shawn Conner; grandchildren, Dalton Jackson Riggs, Carson Scott Riggs, Wilson Ray Riggs, Audrey Jane Conner, and Lincoln Jay Conner; and sisters, Gwen DeWitt and Mary Ann Perry. He was preceded in death by his father, Rex Riggs, and mother, Mary Riggs Quick.
Cary attended Rochester High School and later pursued higher education at Purdue University. He had a successful career as a chemical engineer and later as a sales manager. He spent his entire career with Monsanto, which was acquired by Bayer. In retirement, he selflessly volunteered his time with the Rotary Club or Rochester, Michigan, where he served one term as President and was an active member even in his last days.
Cary worshipped at St. Paul's Methodist Church, where he found solace and community.
In his free time, Cary enjoyed skiing, sailing, tennis, golf, and traveling. These hobbies brought him joy and allowed him to explore the world around him.
A memorial service in honor of Cary's life will be held on Monday, December 18, 2023, at St. Paul's United Methodist Church. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. ET, followed by the memorial service at 11 a.m. ET. The church is located at 620 Romeo Rd, Rochester, MI 48307. For more information about the church, please visit https://www.umc.org/en/find-a-church/church/?id=52380. Recording of Service will be available on the church Facebook page for viewing at a later time.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Cary's memory to the Parkinson's Foundation through the following link: https://www.parkinson.org/.
Cary Dalton Riggs will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. May his memory be a blessing to us all.