Kenneth Riggs

Madison - Kenneth W. Riggs, age 91, of Madison, passed away on Monday, September 5, 2022. He was born on December 29, 1930, in Manitowoc, WI, the son of Thomas and C. Fern (McLafferty) Riggs. Ken moved to Madison and graduated from East High School, and went to the University of Wisconsin Engineering School. He served as a radio repairman in the Army Signal Corps and was stationed in Korea during the Korean War.

He married Kathryn I. Davis on June 23, 1956. They were happily married until she passed away on March 20, 1995.

Ken married Joan McGucken Slate on May 22, 1997.

He worked for the Wisconsin Bell telephone company for 41 years, starting out as an installer and working his way up to manager of retail sales. He retired in 1991. Ken was active in Rotary as well as the Pioneer Club, an organization for retired members of the telephone company. He was also a reading tutor at Madison schools. He enjoyed travel, golf, playing cribbage, attending performances of the Madison Symphony Orchestra, going to the Theatre, and spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Riggs; children, Mary Pat (Gary) Gordon of Freeport, Illinois, Kevin (Lori) Riggs of DeLand, Florida, and David (Melaney) Riggs of St. Paul, Minnesota; his grandchildren, Michael Gordon of Los Angeles, California and Emma Gordon of Freeport, Illinois; and a niece, Sonja Wait of Kingwood, Texas.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Kathy, his brother Tom Riggs, sister-in-law Shirley Riggs, his grandson Justin Gordon, and nephew Christopher Wait.

A memorial service will be held at CAPITAL LAKES RETIREMENT CENTER, 333 West Main Street., Madison, on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, at 1:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s & Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin (ADAW), the Madison Symphony Orchestra, or the charity of your choice.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Services

3610 Speedway Road

(608) 238-3434