NORTH VERNON
Robert Evans Rigney, 82, of North Vernon, Indiana went home to his Lord at Our Hospice in Columbus, Indiana on Good Friday, March 29, 2024.
A funeral service will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at Sawyer-Pickett Funeral and Cremation Service. Steve Bertram and Pastor Terry Brammer will officiate. Burial will be in the IOOF Cemetery in LaFontaine, Indiana at a later date. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until the start of the service with the Masonic service at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at the funeral home.
Born on April 10, 1941, in Detroit, Michigan, he was the loving son of the late Cecil Robert and Sarah Ruth (Evans) Rigney.
Bob was a LaFontaine High School graduate, and he received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Purdue University in 1965, where he remained a devoted Boilermaker fan. “Doc” spent his entire veterinary career, 41 1/2 years, in Jennings County as a partner of Jennings Veterinarians Inc., initially with the late Max Joseph, DVM, and later with Stephen Sollman DVM and Patty Vayo-Sollman DVM. A small town, rural community suited the farm-boy in him perfectly. Nurturing creatures, both large and small, and their owners was more than a profession to him, it was a way of life. Both of his children grew up in the seat of his truck making calls with him day and night.
Dr. Rigney was active in many professional and community organizations over the years including: Indiana Veterinary Medical Licensing Board, Indiana Narcotics Control Board, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine Admissions Committee, Indiana Veterinary Medical Association, Jennings County Board of Health, Jennings County Extension Board, and Red Cross Board of Directors. He was also a member of the First United Methodist Church and 50 year member of the North Vernon Masonic Lodge #59 F&AM. He was bestowed the Sagamore of the Wabash award by Governor Evan Bayh.
Doc enjoyed watching sports of all kinds, but his favorites were Purdue Football and Basketball, Cincinnati Reds Baseball, Indianapolis Colts Football, Hanover Football (John), University of Indianapolis Tennis (JuneAnn), The Ohio State Swimming (Sam), Ball State Tennis (Collin), Jennings County Baseball, Football, and Tennis (John, Gary, and JuneAnn), Delta High School Swimming (Sam and SarahAnne) and Greensburg High School Tennis, Baseball, Basketball, and Dance (Collin and Raegan). He also enjoyed hunting, gardening, working cross word puzzles, and solving world problems over coffee with “the guys”.
Bob is survived by a daughter, KellyAnne (Gary) Pelkey of Muncie; son, John Robert (JuneAnn) Rigney of Greensburg; 4 grandchildren, Dr. Samuel (Dr. Victoria) Pelkey, Dr. SarahAnne (Dr. Colin) Good all of Lewis Center, Ohio, Collin (Claire) Rigney, and Raegan Rigney all of Greensburg; 4 great grandchildren, Charlotte, Caleb and Kate Pelkey, and Ezekiel “Zeke” Good; Bob is also survived by a brother, Thomas (Carolyn) Rigney; nephew, Michael (Mandi) Rigney.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Bonnie and Maurice Terry; nephew, David Evans Rigney.
Memorials can be made through the funeral home to First United Methodist Church Breakfast Bunch.
Friends and family are invited to light a candle or leave a message of condolence in Bob’s memory at www.sawyerfuneralservice.com.
