I was born in Grafton, West Virgina. I grew up in Peninsula, Ohio and graduated from Woodridge High School, Peninsula, Summit County, Ohio, in 1974. In 1974 I became a volunteer fireman/EMT with the Peninsula Fire Department which serves Peninsula Village and Boston Township in Summit County Ohio and was later renamed Valley Fire District. On April 01, 1976 I was sworn in as a Peninsula Police Officer and later promoted to Sergeant. I attended the Kent State University/Ohio Peace Officer Training Council police accademy. On January 26, 1981 I was hired as a morgue attendent/autopsy assistant at the Summit County Coroner's Office by the elected coroner, Dr. A.H. Kyriakides. On April 01, 1982 I was promoted to Investigator for the Summit County Coroner's Office. The Summit County Coroner's Office is now known as the Summit County Medical Examiner's Office where I am currently employed as a Forensic Investigator. I will be retiring from the Medical Examiner's Office on August 31, 2009.

I have a technician class amatuer (Ham) radio license with the call sign "N8QNH".

Taken from his Biography from his Findagrave profile. He will always be a dear friend...

OBITUARY - AKRON BEACON JOURNAL SEPT. 1, 2009

Roger A. Riggins, 54, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, August 29, 2009.

He was born in Grafton, West Virginia and grew up in Peninsula, Ohio. He was a graduate of Woodridge High School, attended Kent State University's Police Academy and was awarded Diplomat status in the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators.

Roger began a life in public service as a Police Officer for the Village of Peninsula and a volunteer on the Peninsula Fire Department. After a brief period of working as a Private Security Officer, he joined the Medical Examiners Office in 1981. He had a special gift of providing comfort to grieving families. He was set to retire on August 30, 2009.

Roger was preceded in death by his brother, David. He is survived by his parents, Wilma and Junior Riggins;, brother, Larry (Barb) and nephews, Andrew and Michael, and close friend, Jesse Martinez.

Friends may call Wednesday 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Ciriello & Carr Falls Chapel, (810 Portage Trail). The funeral will be held Thursday, 10 a.m., at the funeral home. Interment at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peninsula, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Peninsula United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice.

Below is a speech read at Roger's service:

Our Friend, Roger!

(Written by Todd Yarbrough, read by Brian Swank)

I was asked to say a few words about our friend Roger. To sum him up in a few words is not possible. What traits are we to focus on; his kindness and generosity, his helpfulness, his strength, his sense of humor, his forwardness?

We all knew Roger in different ways. Some knew him for his kindness and helpfulness. Some knew him for his caring and devotion. Others knew him as the life of the party. It didn't matter who you were, Roger would find a common interest and build upon that. If you were into history, that's what he would talk about. If you were into celebrities, he would sit and bring up Madonna. He, for some reason, always knew just what to say. You could walk in after the worst day, and in no time at all, he would have you smiling.

On Findagrave.com, a website where people post graves and memorials, Roger was somewhat of a celebrity in his own right. A member for over five years, Roger has posted 1,174 memorials, 1,069 photos, and 690 virtual flowers. He was also the sponsor for the memorial of Marion Joyce Brubaker, a twelve year old girl who was murdered in 1962. He was an avid volunteer, photographing graves for those who needed it and helping them with their genealogy work in any way he could. Roger loved Summit County, especially its history. Very few people have the knowledge he had about Akron's past. All this he did quietly. Roger wasn't one for bragging but his heart was bigger than many knew.

Recently, Roger seemed to have a refreshed vigor for life. He was the happiest we had seen him in a long time, looking forward to retirement and a whole new chapter in life. His love for the things he enjoyed, such as family and friends, seemed to intensify and it showed in his eyes and big grin. Oh, that grin! So subtle, but when you saw it you knew his gears were grinding. With that grin, you just never knew what to expect, but you always knew you were in for a good laugh! And then you have the laugh. That deep, lean back in the chair laugh ending in a little "He, He." How can we ever forget that laugh?

As we sit here saddened by our loss, we as his friends can't help but think of him and his quiet demeanor, his subtle charm, and modest ways. Knowing him like we do, as we reflect and say these words now, he is looking down on us, waving his hand, and shouting "Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah!"

Our friend forever, we love you Roger.