Carl Riggs

Carl B. Riggs, 92, of Cedar Falls, died Monday, January 11, 2016 at NewAlDaya Lifescapes, Cedar Falls, He was born October 18, 1923, in Moravia, IA, the son of the Rev. Fred A. and Lilly Repp Riggs. He married LaVona Hansen November 27, 1949, in Des Moines. She preceded him in death November 11, 1996. Carl married Constance O. Middleton September 18, 1999, in Cedar Falls. After his freshman year at Iowa State College (Ames) in 1942, Carl joined the Army Air Corps for pilot training in response to the attack on Pearl Harbor. During the next three years, he flew 56 combat missions over Germany, flying P-47 Thunderbolts from fields in France, Belgium, and Germany and was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. After the war ended in 1945, Carl attended one semester at York College, York, NE, and then was graduated from Iowa State Teachers College (Cedar Falls) in 1948. He took three years of postgraduate work at Bonebrake Seminary in Dayton, OH, and was graduated and ordained a United Brethren pastor. In 1951 he was recalled for active duty as a fighter pilot during the Korean Conflict to fly P-80 jet fighters. He received a deferment, since he was one week from seminary graduation. After a four-year pastorate (1951-1955) in Moville, IA, he entered the USAF as a chaplain, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1973. He served as pastor of Presbyterian churches in Clinton (1973-1977)) and Fairfield, IA (1977-1994).

He is survived by his wife Connie; a daughter, Rebecca A. (John) Gebhart of Grand Rapids, MI; two sons, Paul A. (Ann) Riggs of Ottumwa and Dr. Stephen C. (Janice) Riggs of Cedar Falls, IA; seven grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren, two stepchildren; four step-grandchildren; eight step-great grandchildren; and three step-great great grandchildren.

Carl was preceded in death by four brothers, Max, Robert, Donald, and Glenn; and three sisters, Beth, Jean, and Mary Alice.

Services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 15, 2016 at Nazareth Lutheran Church, Cedar Falls. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery, Washington D. C. Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 14, 2016, at Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home and one hour before services Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Nazareth Lutheran Church and NewAldaya Lifescapes. Condolences may be left at www.DahlFuneralHome.com.