Ralph Larry Riggs, aged 88, passed away in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 1, 2025, after several years of medical challenges. Ralph was born in Clermont County, Ohio to Raymond L. Riggs and Lucille Dameron Riggs on January 25, 1937. A sister, Janet Gambs, predeceased him. He attended Batavia High School and graduated with a BSc from Ohio State University. Ralph retired from Parke-Davis Pharmaceuticals where he was a production specialist contributing to the manufacture of influenza, smallpox, and other vaccines. After retirement, he resided in Manistee, Michigan before moving to Porter Hills Community in Grand Rapids.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Jo Cargo Riggs. They were high school sweethearts and shared 66 years of married life. Ralph’s children, Susan (Rick) Kase of Rockford, MI, Pamela (Andrew) Gelasco of Chattanooga, TN, and James (Marita) Riggs of Baltimore, MD survive him. Grandchildren are James Kase, Daniel Kase, Emma Riggs Artner, Rose Riggs, and Katie Jo Gelasco living too far away in Lake Orion, Fargo, Boston, Seattle and Nashville. Ralph was inordinately proud of his family and so enjoyed their family reunions.
Ralph was a member of Grand Rapids First United Methodist Church and the Manistee County Habitat for Humanity. His work trips to Appalachia’s Red Bird Mission were important to Ralph as was his faithful attendance and continued support of the churches in his life.
A memorial service will be held at Porter Hills Meeting House, 3600 E. Fulton, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546, on Friday, May 9, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Manistee County Habitat for Humanity (HabitatManistee.org), P.O. Box 495, Manistee, MI 49660 or to the Porter Hills Foundation (Foundation.mybrio.org), 1049 E. Paris Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546.