James Rigby's Obituary
James Bruce Rigby (Jim), 83, passed away peacefully on September 13, 2025, after being surrounded by his friends and loving family. Jim was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who lived a life filled with joy and easy laughter. His love, devotion to family, contagious energy, curiosity, and enthusiasm for life will always be with us.
Jim will be remembered most for his gift of making all who knew him feel seen and valued. Whether they were walking into a room or sharing stories across the table, he extended this warmth through his genuine interest and ever present smile. He lived by the motto, “You should never pass a person in the hall without saying ‘hello’,” and all who passed him knew the delight he felt in their presence. These heartfelt greetings were generously and enthusiastically extended to strangers on the street and in line at the grocery store.
Jim was born on July 14, 1942 in Ida Grove, Iowa and spent most of his youth in Greenfield, Iowa as the son of a high school principal and music teacher. His family moved to Ankeny in 1958 where he graduated from Ankeny High School with the class of 1960.
After attending the fall semester of 1960 at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Jim enlisted in the United States Army where he served from 1961 to 1963 as an Administrative Specialist in the Office of the Adjutant General and was assigned to the Special Troops of the Army U.S. Headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany. While serving, he toured Europe as a member of the U.S. Army Europe Chorus.
Upon his return to the States, Jim followed in the footsteps of his sister, Mary, by enrolling at Northeast Missouri State Teacher’s College (now Truman State), in Kirksville. He was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, and graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education and a major in social science.
During his time in Kirksville, Mary introduced Jim to her sorority sister, Barbara Baldwin (Barb), who became his wife of 59 years. He would vividly describe the green sweater and stirrup pants she wore the day they met and fondly recalled how her tenacity and persistence cemented his commitment to her. They honeymooned at the Lake of the Ozarks, beginning what would become a lifelong love for The Lake.
Both Jim and Barb started their teaching careers in Mexico, Missouri where he taught World Geography for two years at Mexico High School. While in Mexico, he was an active member of the Jaysees and was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award. Jim also received recognition by appearing on the list of Outstanding Young Men in American in 1967.
Shortly thereafter, Jim took the first step on what would become a new career path when he accepted a position as the Director of Personnel at Audrain Hospital. It was during that time that Jim and Barb welcomed their son, Timothy, in 1969.
With a growing family to consider, Jim took advantage of the GI Bill and enrolled at the University of Missouri. He spent two years from 1970–1972 commuting to Columbia while he pursued his Masters in Health Services Management and embarked upon what would become a decades long career in hospital administration. While in graduate school, he was named by faculty and peers as Outstanding Student of the second year graduating class based on his scholarship and promise of contribution to the health care field.
Before completing his degree, Jim was assigned an externship at Belleview Hospital, one of the nation’s busiest medical centers. This placement took a small town, young Midwestern family to New York City during the summer of 1971. Being tight on funds, Jim and Barbara opted to spend the summer in a campground outside of Manhattan. While Jim commuted to work each day, Barb stayed behind and found innovative ways to care for a rambunctious two year old.
After a one year introduction to the field as the Assistant Executive Director at St. Mary’s Hospital in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Jim and Barb settled down in Springfield, Illinois in 1973 where their daughter, Tara, was born. In Springfield, Jim worked his way up to Chief Operating Officer of Memorial Medical Center.
During their sixteen years in Springfield, Jim served his community and profession generously. He was installed as a fellow in the American College of Hospital Administrators, where he received the ACHE Service Award. As a Rotary Club Member, he became a Paul Harris Fellow for his outstanding fundraising efforts. He also served as both a deacon and an elder at Westminster Presbyterian Church.
In his pursuit of career advancement, Jim became CEO of Bethesda Hospital in Zanesville, Ohio before moving to St. Louis in 1991. Jim would spend the remaining fifteen years of his career at St. Mary’s Hospital and Forest Park Hospital in St Louis before retiring in 2007.
Following his retirement, Jim worked for a time as a consultant with Wright Management where he counseled adults in their career paths. He expanded his many interests outside of work and continued his pursuit of service through church sponsored volunteerism. As members of Webster Groves Presbyterian Church, he and Barb most notably made several mission trips to New Orleans to assist in the recovery and rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Katrina.
Jim’s warmest retirement memories were created at their beloved vacation home at the Lake of the Ozarks where they spent many years gathering with friends and family at the very place where Jim and Barb began their marriage nearly six decades before. Perhaps his most joyful moments were spent fishing for bass in the early mornings when it was cool and quiet, the sun was just rising, and the lake stretched before him like glass.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Barbara Rigby; his two children, Timothy (Pam) Rigby, and Tara Rigby (Robert Hosanna); five grandchildren, James Rigby, Jessica Rigby (Dylan Hughes), Anna Rigby, Garrett Hosanna, and Matthew Hosanna; two great grandchildren, Ellison Hosanna and Avery Hosanna; three siblings, Mary Foster, Craig Rigby, and Roxanne (Jim) Hugley; sister-in-law, Patricia (Dale) Bagley; brother-in-law, Steven Baldwin; nephews, Robert (Stephanie) Hackney, and Adam (Rachelle) Hugley; and nieces, Dana Bagley, Kristin Hackney (Scott Nietz), and Sara (Tyler) Rolffs. He was preceded in death by his parents, Evelyn and Harlan Rigby; parents-in-law, Marjorie and Harry Baldwin; and brother-in-law, Jerry Foster.
Jim’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the nurses, therapists, and caregivers at Family Partner’s Home who lovingly cared for him in his final months.
A Celebration of Life service will be held October 18, 2025 at 11:00 am at Webster Groves Presbyterian Church, 44 West Lockwood, Webster Groves, Missouri 63119. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Alzheimer’s Disease Research or Webster Groves Presbyterian Church.
Aquamation services provided by Hughes Funeral Alternatives in St. Louis, Missouri. Family & friends and sign and upload photographs to James' online guestbook at http://www.HughesFA.com
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