A Shout-out to My Grandfather

I spend so much time writing about the life of my great-grandfather, G. Oliver Riggs, that I don’t get much chance to focus the spotlight on my grandfather, Ronald.  Because he would have turned 109 this month, I’d like to dedicate this post to him.

Ronald Graham Riggs was the eldest child of G. Oliver and Islea Graham Riggs.  He was born Oct. 23, 1901, in Crookston, Minn.  He was the first grandchild for both sets of grandparents, and no doubt was doted upon when they got the chance to see him (the Riggs grandparents and Graham grandparents both lived in Illinois in the early 1900s).

G. Oliver with baby Ronald.

Islea with baby Ronald.

My grandfather grew up surrounded by music.  When he was young, his mom taught him piano, and his father would take him along to band rehearsals.  It wasn’t too long before he was playing in bands himself.  His parents would require him to perform for company – a practice he must have disliked, because he made a point of not repeating that practice with his own kids.  He spent his first decade in Crookston and Grand Forks, then lived in Havre, Montana, for a few years, before returning to Crookston with his family and graduating from Crookston High School in 1919.

My grandfather Ronald played the clarinet and saxophone.

I won’t attempt to write a comprehensive account of my grandfather’s long, music-filled life in this one post.  I need more space to do him justice.  But it’s probably important to mention that he was a talented musician who became an excellent band director.  I think it’s also fair to say that my grandfather lived in the shadow of his father for many years.  It would have been difficult to avoid this, since G. Oliver had a larger-than-life personality.  That may be one reason why, after several years directing high school bands in Farmington and Thief River Falls, and directing the band at St. Cloud State, Ronald left the music education field and became a political science professor at St. Cloud State University.

My grandfather liked to golf ...

And fish ...

and travel with his family.

Ronald with my uncle Bob, my aunt Dana and my dad, William.

He had bachelor’s degrees from the University of Minnesota and St. Cloud State, a master’s in education from the University of Minnesota, and a doctorate degree in education from the University of North Dakota.  He was active in the Minnesota Music Educators Association and was posthumously inducted into the MMEA Hall of Fame in 1986.  He received the Silver Beaver Award in 1960 for his work with the Boy Scouts.  He served on the St. Cloud City Council and the Charter Commission, and was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

I’m sure he would have enjoyed spending time with all his grandkids, but he died before he got the chance to meet most of them.

Grandpa Ronald goofing with my older brother, Pete, in September 1967.

I was not yet one year old when my grandfather died on Oct. 12, 1968, of a heart attack, so I have no memories of him.  But it’s been fun to get to know him now, through my research.  I think he would be proud of all the accomplishments of his children, grandchildren, and passel of great-grandchildren.

Happy early birthday, Grandpa Ronald!