Tech Sgt. Robert Horace “Bobby” Riggs, USAF (Retired), age 80, of Vevay, Indiana, entered this life on June 16, 1940 in Madison, Indiana. He was the loving son of the late Horace B. and Marie B. (Bosaw) Riggs. Bobby was raised in Switzerland County, Indiana and was a graduate of the Vevay High School. He was inducted into the United States Air Force on July 26, 1963 in Fort Thomas, Kentucky. He received the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Air Force Medal. Bobby was honorably discharged with the rank of Airman First Class on May 14, 1967 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Bobby re-enlisted on May 15, 1967 and rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. He received the Air Force Longevity Service Award, Air Force Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, and the Air Force Medal with 1 bronze Oak Leaf Cluster. He was honorably discharged on May 14, 1971 in Darmstadt, Germany. Bobby re-enlisted on May 15, 1971 in Darmstadt, Germany. He received the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award, Air Force Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster and the National Defense Service Medal. Bobby was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant on May 14, 1975 at Osan Air Force Base, Korea. Bobby re-enlisted on November 2, 1981 at Osan Air Force Base, Korea. Bobby received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with One Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbon and the Air Force Longevity Service Award with Four Oak Leaf Clusters. Bobby proudly retired from the service after 21 years, 7 months and 5 days on March 1, 1985 at the Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio with the rank of Technical Sergeant. Bobby was employed for Vevay Utilities for 10 years. He was a member of the Vevay VFW Post #5396 and the Vevay American Legion Post #185. Bobby was also a member of the Ruter Chapel United Methodist Church in Vevay, Indiana. He resided in Seymour, Indiana for eight years and later moved back to the Vevay community where he resided until his death. Bobby enjoyed photography and sports cars. Bobby passed away at 1:39 p.m., Tuesday, September 8, 2020, at the Swiss Villa Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Vevay, Indiana.
Bobby is survived by his cousins, his best friend and caretaker, Edsel Detraz and his wife, Bonnie of Vevay, IN and other friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Horace B. Riggs, died January 10, 1959 and Marie B. (Bosaw) Riggs, died November 5 1986.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Monday, September 14, 2020, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street, Vevay, Indiana 47043.
Interment and full military rites will be conducted by the Honor Guard of the Vevay American Legion Post #185 and the Vevay VFW Post #5396 in the Vevay Cemetery, Vevay, Indiana.
Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Monday, September 14, 2020, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street, Vevay, Indiana 47043.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Vevay American Legion Post #185 Relief Fund or Vevay VFW Post #5396 Relief Fund. Cards are available at the funeral home or online at www.haskellandmorrison.com