Robert E. Wiggins

Robert Eugene Wiggins was born on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 1928, at Kansas City, Mo. He was the only child of Virgil and Edith (Adams) Wiggins. Bob grew up in the Kansas City area. He moved with his family to Franklin County in the Richmond area and later to a farm south of Wellsville, Kan. He moved to Ottawa after his military service, where he made his home until his death on Wednesday, May 28, 2008, at the age of 80 years, four months and 25 days. Bob attended Shawnee Mission elementary and junior high schools. He graduated from Wellsville High School with the class of 1946. He was a running back in football and a center in basketball for the Wellsville Eagles, lettering in both sports. Bob enlisted in the United States Air Force on Oct. 4, 1946. He was an Aircraft Crash Rescueman and was assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing also known as the “Guardian of the North.” He was stationed at Weaver, S.D. He assisted with refueling and maintenance at Goose Bay, Labrador off the coast of northern Canada, when the B-29’s were redeployed back to the United States from Europe upon completion of World War II. He obtained the rank of Sergeant and received the WWII Victory Medal and the American Theater Ribbon. He was honorably discharged from military service on August 29, 1949. Bob met Patricia “Pat” Doty at a dance at Homewood, Kan. During their courtship they spent many Sunday afternoons driving Main Street in Ottawa. They were united in marriage on May 27, 1951, at the First Baptist Church in Ottawa, Kan. They shared over 44 years of marriage. From this union three children were born: Mike, Teri and Jon. Bob was an electrician for 42 years. He followed in his father’s footsteps and in 1949 joined the family business, Wiggins Electric Company of Ottawa. Bob wired many buildings in eastern Kansas still in use today, including banks, schools, churches and National Guard Armories. He stated that two of his most challenging projects were the Ottawa University Chapel and the 1972 addition at Ransom Memorial Hospital. Bob retired in 1991 after completing the remodeling and addition at Dengel & Son Mortuary. A 57-year member, Bob was initiated into the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local No. 226 of Topeka, Kan., in 1951. He served several terms on the City of Ottawa Electrical Contractor Licensing Board. He was a former member of the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce and the Ottawa Country Club. He is survived by Michael Wiggins and his wife, Jane, of Overland Park, Kan., Jon Wiggins, and his wife, Theresa, of Ottawa; five grandchildren, Diana Hill, Rob Hill, Hayden Wiggins, Bryce Wiggins and Drew Wiggins, all of Ottawa. Bob touched his children’s lives by being a supportive friend and a “True Provider”, and for that they will be ever grateful. He was preceded in death by his wife, Pat, on March 27, 1997; his father, Virgil Wiggins, on March 5, 1984; his mother, Edith Wiggins, in Jan. 18, 1997; a daughter, Teri Wiggins, on Oct. 21, 1996. Bob loved spending time with his friends and family. He enjoyed and was willing to help anyone in need. He was a very meticulous and neat person. Pat and Bob kept their lawn and gardens manicured and immaculate. During their retirement they enjoyed traveling and golf outings. Some of the places they vacationed were Hawaii, Florida, the Carolinas, Las Vegas and Jamaica. Bob’s first car that he owned was a dark gray 1949 Plymouth; later all he would own was Fords. He was proud that he never had a wreck. Some that knew Bob said that he had the cleanest car in town. The holidays were always special; Bob was known to make his caramel and cinnamon corn and party mix. In the wintertime Bob would have the grandkids help him feed the birds in the backyard and this is how he earned the nickname Grandpa Birds. Once inside he would build a fire and enjoy all the different species of birds that would flock. Bob accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior in January of 2007. He mentioned that when you get to the end of your life all you have is your faith in God. “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32 Bob was a special person and would never want to say goodbye to his family and friends. He would want us to celebrate his life rather than dwell on his passing. He will be greatly missed; his memories and spirit will be with us forever. Funeral services will be held from the Dengel & Son Mortuary 10 a.m. Monday, June 2, 2008. Mr. Wiggins will lie in state from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Dengel & Son Mortuary and Monday to the service. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery, Ottawa. The family suggests memorials to Bea Martin Peck Animal Shelter c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory St., Ottawa KS 66067.