Obituary of Kenneth August Riggers

Kenneth August Riggers died peacefully in his sleep on July 15th at his home in Olympia. He will be greatly missed by friends and family who knew him as a man of tremendous integrity and faith. Born February 6, 1936, he arrived during a terrible snowstorm as the third of four children born to Herman and Marie Riggers of Gifford, Idaho. After attending Culdesac High School in Idaho, he graduated from Pacific Lutheran University (then “PLC”) in Tacoma, Washington with a Bachelor’s degree in education. He received his Masters of Arts in Education from Washington State University. He met his wife, Marcia, during their years in the teaching profession. They were best of friends for the whole of their married life and would have celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this December. For 29 years, Ken taught Biology and Chemistry in the Edmonds School District. A tireless lesson planner, he brought to life his lectures on genetics, embryology and the periodic table with demonstrations of breeding fruit flies, hatching chicks, and the mixing of various chemicals – sometimes with explosive results. He believed that nature had much to teach us, and was known to take class field trips to the ocean, and was often seen collecting water samples from Puget Sound for classroom microscopic studies. Faculty and students knew him for his own unique form of humor – particularly his many puns. He was always good for a laugh. Upon “retirement” he began a home repair and remodel business, drawing upon the skills he had acquired during the construction of their home in Edmonds. He quickly developed a reputation for impeccable workmanship and excellent service. Many a customer had their leaky roof patched in record time, and if he did outdoor construction, he would even weed the area for no extra charge. He was passionate about his work, finding pleasure in being able to give individuals precisely what they wanted. His last labor of love was in building the home to which he and Marcia retired. Ken will be remembered for his commitment to family and church and for his outstanding garden and dahlias. Ken is survived by his wife, Marcia, his two children Martha (Kip) of Mercer Island, and Joe (Melany) of Goldendale; three grandchildren Lené, Jake, and Axel; two brothers Clarence (Helen) of Gifford, Idaho and Erv (Hope) of College Station, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Betty and her husband Don Keith. Services will be held at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Olympia on Sunday, August 12th at 2:30. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made in Ken’s name to Holden Village: HCO Box 2, Chelan, WA 98816-9769.