Obituary of Richard E. Wiggins

Mr. Richard Eugene Wiggins, age 60, of Willow Trail, Boone, NC, passed away Monday night, March 23, 2015 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, due to complications from pneumonia. Born November 25, 1954 in Chattanooga, TN, he was the son of the late Dr. Eugene and Mrs. Jean Ella Whaley Wiggins. Growing up in Dahlonega, Georgia, Richard was an avid outdoorsman. He pursued his passion to the vast wilderness of California, Oregon and Alaska, where he worked in fisheries, forestry and wildlife management. Richard was also an accomplished chef, and drawn by his love of the Blue Ridge Mountains, moved with his family to Boone, NC, in 2002, where he was most recently employed by Watauga Medical Center. He is survived by his wife, Katherine Wiggins, and son, Hunter Wiggins, of the home, and one sister, Sarah Beth Wiggins of Dahlonega, GA. He was preceded in death by one aunt, Dr. Genevieve Wiggins of Athens, TN. A memorial service will be conducted on Friday, April 10th at 4:00 PM at St. Mary of the Hills, 140 Chestnut Drive, Blowing Rock. Officiating will be Reverend Richard C. Lawler. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall. Plans for a celebration of life service to be held in Dahlonega, GA, are pending. Flowers are accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the Wildlife Diversity Endowment Fund, c/o NC Wildlife Resources Commission, 1702 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1702 or www.ncwildlife.org/give. Online condolences may be shared with the Wiggins family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Wiggins family.