Robert Baker Riggs

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Robert Riggs Obituary

Family-Placed Funeral Notice

ROBERT BAKER RIGGS Robert Baker Riggs, of West Palm Beach , son of Tom and Iris Riggs was born August 13, 1925 and died September 8, 2004. He was a veteran of W.W.II and served with honor in the U.S. Navy for three years. Mr. Riggs earned a Bachelor of Science Degree at Rollins College and a Master's Degree in Education at the University of Florida. He was devoted to the Education System in Palm Beach Co. for 45 years. He was a member of the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame. Best known and loved as Coach Bobby Riggs. His favorite hobby was enjoying Big Bands Music. Bobby was a loving husband of 54 years to his wife, Jolie, and was a fantastic father to his children, Rob and Cindy. He will missed by many and was a mentor and friend to all. Survivors include his wife, Jolie Alexander Riggs of West Palm Beach; son, Robert Burns Riggs, Sr. and Sharon of Orlando, FL; daughter, Cynthia Parker and her husband Greg of Lake Worth, FL; sister, Peggy Stafford and her husband Carl of Port Orange, FL; grandchildren: Martha Jo Ham of Pt. St. Lucie, FL and Robert Burns Riggs, Jr. of Stuart, FL; step-grand- Mchildren: John Bednarcik of Pt. St. Lucie, FL and Deanna Bednarcik of Cleveland, TX; four great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. The Funeral Service will be 4:30 PM Sunday, September 12, 2004 at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 1063 N. Haverhill Road, with the Rev. David K. Sutcliffe officiating. The family will receive friends from 3:30 - 4:30 PM in the Parish Hall of the church on Sunday. Interment service will be private at Hillcrest Memorial Park with Military Honors. Quattlebaum Funeral Home Family Owned and Operated www.Quattlebaum.org

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Published by The Palm Beach Post from Sep. 10 to Sep. 11, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Riggs

12 Entries

Carl N. Lawson

September 27, 2004

My heartfilled sympthay goes our out to Coach Riggs Family for not only have we lost a great educator but I have a lost a friend. Coach Riggs was there for me many years while at PBHS. He was not only a coach but he was also a friend and mentor to lot of us kids back in the 50's. I am also proud to say that Coach Riggs was the Principal at FHHS where my two children Lisa and Carl Lawson JR graduated from. My God bless this family in there time of sorrow and we also share the loss with you.

Carl Lawson PBHS 1957

priscilla white daniels

September 16, 2004

Greeting from the children of the late Wessie M. White. We often think about your family. We are sorry to hear about Mr. Riggs, you are in our prayer, Priscilla & Lawrence.

The Rev. Valerie V Vernon

September 15, 2004

With deepest sympathy for the loss; with thankgiving for the abundant life of devotion to God and to God's children; and with heart-felt prayers for Jolie, family & loved ones for that peace which passeth all understanding. - FHS, Valerie

Barbara & Bill (William) Haw

September 15, 2004

To the family of Coach Riggs.

He was Coach Riggs to us when we attended FHHS in the early sixties. He loved the students and always made them believe that you could overcome any barrier and make something special of your life. In the 80's when our daughters attended FHHS we knew him as Principal Riggs. His influence will always live on through his former students. Our daughter has been teaching ESE Students since she entered the teaching profession three years ago. Our prayers and thoughts are with the family.

Keith Rott

September 14, 2004

As a member of the FHHS class of 1984, I have many fond memories of Coach Riggs. He was a good leader with a sense of humor. As a coach and educator he had a positive influence on thousands of students. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Keith Rott

Stephanie Haw

September 12, 2004

My fond memories of Principal Riggs was during the time that I attended FHHS from 1983 - 1987. He loved the students and supported all school wide activities, including the band program. He encouraged us to do our best and was always proud when he heard the band play. I had the privilage of seeing Mr. Riggs off into retirement. I will never forget playing in the FHHS band as the student body of FHHS saw a great educator and academic leader leave his stage in the academic world in the spring of 1985.

His influence in my life will always live on as I continue with my teaching career, and influence students today as Principal Riggs also did in my life.

Stephanie Haw

FHHS Class of 1987

[email protected]

Ocala, Fl

CHARLIE ANDERSON

September 11, 2004

My thoughts and prayers go out to Coach Riggs family.He was one of the finest individuals I have ever known.He taught me so much about life during the years he was my coach in football and baseball. He was my mentor and friend.He will be greatly missed but nerver forgotten.

Rebecca McCully Walker

September 11, 2004

My deepest sympathy goes to you,Joli, and your family. We all have so many great memories of Coach Riggs, as both a coach and teacher. He'll always be a very important part of Central Jr. High and Palm Beach High School and may the spirit and enthusiasm he had for both- live on. Rebecca McCully Walker-Edwards (Class 1956)

K. Jeanne Nuttall

September 11, 2004

Although I havent seen Mr Riggs in years, he was always in the part of my mind labeled "fond memories".

My thoughts are with the family.

Jeanne Nuttall class of 57

CHENNEY DRIVERS

September 10, 2004

OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO THE RIGGS FAMILY, MAY YOU FIND PEACE WITHIN YOURSELVES AND WITH GOD. WE DIDN'T KNOW MR.,RIGGS PERSONALLY, BUT WE WORK FOR HIS SON ROBERT.EVERYTHING OUR BOSS IS,IS A REFLECTION OF HIS DAD, HE WILL BE SORELY MISSED.

ALL OUR LOVE AND PRAYERS

THE ORLANDO SHUTTLE DRIVERS

Marianne (Watkins) Flanders

September 10, 2004

He was and always has been "Mr. Riggs" to me. My introduction to him and his humor was as my seventh grade homeroom teacher at Central Jr. High in 1951. He kidded me and my friend Cynthia about living in Golfview, asking if we had "webbed feet" because we lived so far out in the country. I got used to the teasing over time, and now remember him with special affection.

I also remember him introducing you, Jolie, at a basketball game. The picture in my mind is so vivid--and I thought you were so beautiful and had such a pretty name.

The last time I saw him was Oct. 11, 2003, at my husband's 50th class reunion. Though quite feeble, and having difficulty seeing, he remembered me by name and situation, even how he'd teased me so many years ago. That was a special moment for me and I promised to fulfill a promise I'd made to him a few years before--to send some of my memorabilia to the PBHS museum. I regret I still never got around to it--but will now if the family is still receiving items.

Mary Anne (Riggle) Wandelt

September 10, 2004

Dear Family--

As a 1957 graduate of Palm Bch. High School and a student in Coach Riggs' algebra class in my freshman year, I witnessed his compassion for people, his commitment to the teaching profession and his dedication for encouraging students to be the best they could be.

In later years I had the fortune of renewing my friendship with Bobby when I became active with the PBHS Historical Committee. He most certainly loved the Hill and brought so much dignity and honor to the sports field there.

This world has been a better place because Bobby Riggs has been in it!

Although words seem to say so little, I hope they help, in some small, way to ease your loss.

May God bless you and may the spirit of Bobby Riggs be a cherished memory never forgotten.

He was a treasure!!

With fond memories and deepest sympathy,

Mary Anne (Riggle) Wandelt - Class of '57