Dixon L. Riggs, 87, of Waterloo, died at Cedar Valley Hospice Home on April 11, 2012, after battling cancer. As were his wishes, there will be no services. He graduated from St. Mary's High School in West Virginia and was the youngest of six children. Riggs entered the US. Army and spent two years overseas serving in campaigns in New Guinea, the Philippines, and Japan. After three years of service during World War II, Riggs enrolled at Marietta College, where he received a degree. In 1958, he was appointed an assistant professor of biology at the University of Northern Iowa. Besides teaching, which he loved most, he had many other interests. He received emeritus status upon his retirement after thirty years of service at UNI. He and his wife, Merle, traveled often. They spent winters in Texas and came back to Iowa to enjoy all of the sports at UNI. He is survived by his wife, Merle; two stepsons, Barry and Brett Thoren; one stepdaughter, Pamela Combs and her husband Larry; and two grandkids, Eric and Elliot Combs. He was preceded in death by the beloved Siamese cat that he had for fifteen years. Dixon resided at 4407 Reflection Lane, Waterloo, Iowa 50701.
Copyright Waterloo Courier on-line edition; downloaded April 16, 2012.