Richard Edwin Riggs

Richard Edwin Riggs, 76, exchanged his favorite $300 violin for a harp on August 23, 2020. He was born in Tacoma to Edwin Morris Riggs and Lillian Margaret Skjerlie on November 21, 1943. Graduated Lincoln High School in Tacoma in 1961 and received his doctorate in education from Columbia University in New York in 1994.

Rich’s mother purchased music lessons from a door-to-door salesman (that came with a free violin) for him when he was five years old. From the moment he first held a violin he was hooked and knew exactly what he wanted to be when he grew up. Born the son of an outdoorsy, hard-labored garbageman, you can only imagine his father’s surprise when he learned his son wanted to be a musician.

September of 1966 is when he moved to Yakima. He taught music in the Yakima School District for 33 years and private lessons at a few local music stores including Talcott's, Ted Brown and Taylor Music. Even after retirement he would be invited back to the schools to encourage students to take up a musical instrument. He loved teaching, loved his students and remembers every single one of them.

Most remember him for his music but many also know him for his sense of humor. From performing on stage with a fake arrow through his head acting completely oblivious to what he was wearing or once during a closing prayer and his musical tie went off he had no choice but to shove his tie in his mouth. He was always entertaining those around him.

He loved Yakima and the community. He always encouraged others to shop local and support the local music scene. He was one of the founding members of the group which became the Yakima Symphony Orchestra who he played with for many years. He was also part of the Yakima String Quartet, numerous dance bands in the Yakima Valley, many Warehouse Theatre productions, the occasional serenade, weddings, sang in his LDS choir and, in his later years, would perform in front of the Capitol Theatre before live events to entertain people waiting in line. He would often invite his musical students to busk with him or invite students and their families to the local Old Time Fiddlers meetings which were jam sessions that would give the students a chance to perform in front of others and meet like-minded individuals.

After retirement he enjoyed visiting Hawaii. He would take his violin with him to perform on a street corner and whatever tips he made, that’s what funded his vacation. He did this for 20 years in a row, inviting the rest of his family to join him on his trip.

The day before his passing he asked his wife to help him into another room where his musician friends were waiting for him claiming they couldn’t start without him. It was heaven’s waiting room with his friends anticipating his arrival.

Rich is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, seven children, 11 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and countless exhausted music students; all whom he loved dearly and have been helping keep music alive in Yakima and beyond with generations to follow.

Rich is laid to rest at West Hills Memorial Park. There will be a memorial service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, do an act of kindness in his name.