Stephen Stiger Riggs, born Jan. 6, 1925 in New Brunswick, N.J., a 72-year resident of Fairhope, died Thursday June 3, 2010.
He moved to Fairhope when he was 13 and lived with his mother Gretchen Riggs. As a child he loved to tinker with radio and film. This passion followed him throughout his life.
Upon completion at the Organic School, he entered the Air Force Reserve in the Signal Corp where he was stationed in North Africa during World War II. After the War he went to Auburn University to study electrical engineering. Upon returning from Auburn he taught at Murphy High School vocational center. He taught Radio-T7 and many of his students went on to have outstanding careers in both radio and electrical engineering.
He then moved on to a career in radio and television engineering. He worked for WKRG, WALA and numerous radio stations. He retired from WALA only four years ago but continued his work as engineer and co-owner of POWER88, a local Christian radio station. He felt that serving the Lord through his engineering for this station was his ministry.
Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Aline Mildred Riggs; six children, Aline (George) Thaden, Gretchen (Charles) Amazeen, Carrie (Les) Brown, Lloyd (Clair) Riggs, Carl Riggs and Blanche (William) Smith; 13 grandchildren, Sandy Brophy, Donavon Zadnichek, Dalton and Jenny Dawkins Jr., Edge, Callie Best, Ryan, Ashley, Harrison, Griffen, and Stephen Riggs, Haley Scardamalia and Krista Klumpp; and six great-grandchildren, Ezra and Maxine Brophy, Dalton and Jacob Zadnichek, Amelia and Will Best.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 5 at St. James Episcopal Church in Fairhope.
The family requests memorial donations be made to POWER88.
Arrangements are by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., Fairhope.
