Richard A. 'Dick' Riggs

1/9/1933 — 6/15/2025

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Jan. 9, 1933 — June 15, 2025

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Richard A. “Dick” Riggs passed away peacefully Sunday, June 15, 2025 at his Lewiston home. He was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital on Jan. 9, 1933, to Samuel Riggs and Laura (Dankenbring) Riggs. Dick grew up in East Lewiston on 22nd Street and attended Garfield Grade School. He graduated from Lewiston High School in 1951.

Keeping in touch with classmates was important, which included many class reunions. He lettered in four sports, of which his favorite was baseball. Dick played American Legion Baseball and on the University of Idaho Baseball team as a catcher. At the University of Idaho, he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science in education in history and an ROTC commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. As a Military Police officer, he spent 16 months in Korea as a member of United Nations Peacekeeping Group which he recalled as a life impacting experience.

Dick began his 34-year career in public education in Seattle and had stints in Spokane, Kooskia, Riggins, Anatone, Craigmont, Asotin and Rosalia.  He also proudly recalled being on the first teaching staff at Sacajawea Junior High School in Lewiston. In life he loved learning and teaching about history, particularly but not only of his own community. He asked every person he met about their own life stories and histories, while sharing his own.

In 1960 Dick met and married Barbara Jean Wagner, the love of his life, whom he adored for 63 years of marriage and until the day he died. They were married Aug. 19, 1960, at Grace Lutheran Church in Lewiston.

The Riggs’ retired to Normal Hill one block from where Dick played legion baseball at Harris Field. In retirement he wrote articles and books that included local, regional, and state histories on many topics in fields like sports, business, people, education and his own life experiences. He had ten self-published books and was a frequent contributor to the Lewiston Tribune in the Golden Times and letters to the editor.

Dick was president of the Nez Perce County Historical Society for fifteen years, and in 2006 he received the state of Idaho’s Esto Perpetua Award for contributions to history. In addition to being a deep-rooted Idaho Vandal, he and Barbara supported Lewis-Clark State College athletics including the women’s basketball program. Dick and Barb attended the Congregational Presbyterian Church for over 30 years.

Dick is preceded in death by his two favorite women, his wife Barbara and his daughter Jolyn Dahmen. He is survived by his two sons, Doug Riggs (Laurinda), of Lewiston, and Matt Riggs (Leah), of Bremerton, Wash.; six grandchildren Lane Riggs, Moira, Shamus and Keely Riggs, Zach Dahmen and Joel Dahmen (Lona), with Joel’s son Riggs Dahmen as his great grandson.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the Nez Perce County Historical Society and LCSC Warrior Women’s Basketball. In memoriam, consider Dick’s model of being a good community member, family member and friend.

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