Dr. Tyler Edward Riggins

Dr. Tyler Edward Riggins, 95, passed away Sunday, Feb. 11th after a short illness. Riggins, a USDA veterinarian for nearly 40 years, was instrumental in efforts to eradicate brucellosis and other diseases affecting large animals in the southeast. He was also well known for his work enforcing federal and state animal cruelty laws. He had a passion for farming and being on his land in Adams TN.

Tyler was born Dec. 7, 1928, in his parent’s home in Dover, TN, to Emmie D. and Leonard Riggins. He attended the one-room schoolhouse, Tip Top, where his mother taught. He completed his degree in agriculture at the University of Tennessee, where he was a member and the “Commander” of his fraternity, Sigma Nu. Tyler earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University in 1956. He was hired by the USDA to test and inoculate cattle, which was threatened nationwide by brucellosis. While testing herds in Cumberland County, Kentucky, Tyler boarded at the Burkesville home of the Hume sisters, who quickly hatched a plan to introduce the eligible young doctor to Libby Judd, who had just graduated from the University of Kentucky. Barely six months after that introduction, Tyler and Libby were married March 31st, 1962, at the church where they first met and the reception was held at the site of their first date, the Alpine Hotel.

The couple settled in the Melrose area of Nashville where he worked in private practice, later moving to Goodlettsville. In 1965, Tyler returned to the USDA to focus on disease eradication in large animals. By the early 1980’s, Dr. Riggins’ work focused on enforcement of new federal and state animal cruelty laws. He was the lead inspector over zoos in Nashville, Memphis and Chattanooga, and inspected hospitals in the state that used animals as part of their research and testing. In 1995, Dr. Riggins was a key witness in a US Court of Appeals case that protected the USDA’s guidelines to prevent the Tennessee Walking Horse from competing if the horse showed signs of “soreness.” He was one of the few veterinarians at the time who was trained to spot abuse caused by caustic chemicals and mechanical devices. In 2003, Dr. Riggins was the expert witness in the first animal cruelty case to test new state laws charging aggravated cases as a felony.

Tyler greatly enjoyed working on his farm in Adams, where he raised cattle and row crops and operated a dairy, milking up to 250 Holsteins a day for many years. It was his favorite place to be. Tyler and Libby built a cabin overlooking a small pond on their farm, which they named Lonesome Duck Farm, a play on his favorite Larry McMurtry book and a mallard duck on the farm that didn’t have a mate. The couple spent weekends and holidays enjoying the scenery and assortment of ducks, peacocks, and Martin birds that migrated to the farm annually. One of his last wishes was to ride his tractor on his farm. He helped raise four daughters, taught them to ride bikes, waterski and encouraged an appreciation for education, hard work and the importance of family. His daughters loved him very much.

Tyler loved the Lord, reading the entire Bible several times, and was a member of Goodlettsville Cumberland Presbyterian Church, serving as a deacon and elder. In his commitment to serving God, he attended many mission trips with the church, including one to South Africa, where the Goodlettsville church helped to build a sanctuary and childcare facility in the Wolmaransstad area.

Riggins is preceded in death by his parents, Emmie D. and Leonard Riggins, grandson John Daniel Hastings and son in law Mark Humphreys. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Libby Judd Riggins, and his four daughters, Amy (Brett) Tarter, Hellyn Riggins, Emily Humphreys and Tyler (Don) Moody. He is also survived by his six grandchildren: Mary Elizabeth Hastings, Harry Tarter, Huston Tarter, Joseph Hastings, Charlotte Moody and Evangeline Moody. Services will be held Saturday, February 24th at Goodlettsville Cumberland Presbyterian Church, with visitation beginning at 11 a.m. and a Celebration of Life at 1p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Goodlettsville Cumberland Presbyterian Church or animal welfare organizations.