Richard Morrison Riggs

After a brief illness, Richard Morrison Riggs died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Sunday, August 19, 2007. He leaves his loving wife of 60 years, Katherine Grace, daughter, Elizabeth Riggs Fermano and her husband Paul of Marblehead, MA, son Richard Jr. of Kingsville, grandson Lt. John T. with the United States Navy stationed in Bahrain, and granddaughters, Heather M. of Pompano Beach, FL and Katie of Kingsville. He was predeceased by his son John, his daughter-in-law Barbara, and his brother, Robert Jr. Born October 24, 1920 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Robert Jennings and Helen Winship Morrison Riggs, Dick graduated from Tulsa High School in 1938 and from Dartmouth College in 1942. Upon graduation he and many of his Dartmouth classmates joined the Naval Aviation training program at Squantum, Massachusetts, becoming known as the Â"Dartmouth Indian UnitÂ". As part of our countryÂ's Â"greatest generationÂ", Dick served the US Navy during World War II, flying PB4Y aircraft with the VPB 107 Patrol Bombing Squadron patrolling the South Atlantic Ocean. He received two Navy Air Medals, commendation ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation, and was awarded the prestigious Order of the Southern Cross from Brazil. As a Lieutenant, Dick also served as staff pilot for Admiral Jonas Ingram, Commander in Chief, US Atlantic Fleet. Dick and Katy met in 1946 while studying for MasterÂ's degree in geology at Columbia University in New York City, and married in 1947. A highly respected petroleum geologist and an active member of the AAPG for more than fifty years, Dick worked as an executive for several oil companies including the former Stanolind Oil now Amoco, Ashland Oil, Tesoro Petroleum, Abraxis Petroleum. He loved golf and sailing, and excelled at both. Some of his happiest times were spent golfing with friends and sailing with his family. The family is grateful for the comfort and care Dick received from VistaCare Hospice.