Craig Rigg is probably one of those people who wonders where he ever found time to work for a living. My interview with him came at the recommendation of the legendary Bushnell-Prairie City icon Estelene Bodenhamer, a renowned high school English teacher and mentor.
Mrs. Bodenhamer recommended two others for me to interview in the past, Ray Key and Rachel Bliven. Both persons ended up having a list of lifelong accomplishments that were no less than mind-boggling. I knew, before I started, that Mr. Craif Rigg would be no different. A recommendation from Mrs. Bodenhamer does not come easily.
Craig Rigg was born at St. Francis Hospital in 1948 and is a life-long resident in the area. He graduated from Colchester High School in 1966 and began his teaching career in English Composition at Western Illinois University.
His teaching career was interrupted by the Vietnam War and he served in the U.S. Navy from 1971-75. His stint in the Navy involved being stationed on the Pacific Midway Island in the Naval Weather Service Environmental Detachment.
After returning from the service in 1975, Craig resumed his teaching at WIU. He then taught at Plymouth from 1979-1983, LaHarpe from 1983-1994, Colchester from 1994-2003, and from 2003-2015 at the consolidated West Prairie. His teaching ranged from grades 6-12 and encompassed all parts of English, including grammar and literature.
After retiring from teaching in 2015, Rigg returned to West Prairie in 2018 to cover a maternity leave for a semester and then again part time in 2019 for a semester because of a teacher's absence.
Rigg's wife, Cynthia, was a homemaker early on and later retired after 20 years as billing clerk at McDonough Power.
The couple were blessed with two children, Crista and Cyle, and if you haven't noticed yet this family likes names that begin with 'C', his brother Curt and sister Camilla are also part of the tradition. Crista is the business manager for West Prairie School District #103 and Cyle is an administrator, athletic director, and transportation director, and baseball coach for Southeastern District #337.
One could almost pause there, as Craig Rigg's accomplishments the first half of his life were more than impressive. Farm kid, husband, father, teacher, earning a masters degree, sailor-one might think he would have been ready for a rest in 2015 when he officially retired from teaching.
But it's what he has gone on to accomplish in addition to the above, some while he was doing the above, that is mind-boggling.
Craig Rigg's life is chockfull of community service. Craig and his brother Curt have been members of the local Barbershop Harmony Society for over 45 years. The group has 15 members; four of those are women. They meet every Monday night at 7pm at the Presbyterian Church to rehearse for their many performances in the area. Craig edited the Illinois District Barbershop Harmony Society newsletter 'Attacks & Releases' for 22 years (1982-2004), featuring news and reports from the 35 barbershop chapters in Illinois.
Craig is also a member of the McDonough County Retired Teachers Association, which meets monthly at the Trinity Lutheran Church and also publishes that group's newsletter.
The Riggs attend Wesley United Methodist Church; both he and his wife sing in the choir, and he also teaches an adult Sunday School class.
Rigg maintains the Rigg Cemetery (1840's) which is located East of Bethel Church in Bethel Township. He is secretary/treasurer of Archer Bethel Cemetery as well.
As part of the McDonough County Retired Teachers group, Rigg volunteers at Lincoln and Edison schools in their libraries. No task is too small-Rigg shelves books and helps with whatever other jobs are needed.
Craig finds time in his busy schedule to read the edition of Community News Brief for the print-impaired at Tri-States Public Radio on Wednesdays at 9:00am (part of the Audio Information Services-wiu.edu/cofac/ais).
Craig and son Cyle Rigg both shot at the same carp — two arrows, 1 carp.
As far as leisure time, Craig enjoys making walking sticks which he donates to those in need.
Mid May-July you will likely find Craig, and his son Cyle, bow and arrow fishing at Spring Lake or Schuy-Rush Lake.
Craig also is qualified to officiate at weddings, but he has limited that service to a niece and two nephews.
The Riggs' grandchildren have grown up-Cade is a junior at Ozark Christian College, Owen is a sophomore at Carl Sandburg College, and Tegan is a junior at Southeastern High School.
One might wonder if a man as occupied as Craig Rigg has time for a bucket list. After reflecting a moment,...he says he would like to see Maine in the fall and return to Midway Island (nesting place for gooney birds), though such visits are restricted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He and his wife would like to return to Cornwall, England, which they visited in 2013 to make contact with Cynthia's distant cousin and to investigate burial sites of her maternal ancestors, the Bunt family.
Craig feels like his life was inspired by several people. Estelene Bodenhamer has known and mentored Rigg since he was a child, even giving him piano lessons. She is perhaps the reason he became an English teacher, even though he never sat in her Bushnell classroom.
Colchester Ag teacher, Lowell HIlland, worked with the young Rigg in FFA, molding him into a proficient public speaker.
WIU professor, Jack Jesse, an English teacher that hailed from old school Kentucky, honed Rigg's love for the English language.
Rigg does not want to dismiss the influence his parents had on his life, giving him his intense work ethic and love for life.
Much of Rigg's lessons no doubt linger in the memories of his students. His coaching of Scholastic Bowl teams and directing school plays over the years and his serving as English Composition instructor for the 'Dual Credit' program are just some of the 'extra' things he did at the schools where he taught.
While I don't think Craig Rigg wants or likes attention for all of the things he has done, and is still doing, for the local communities, I do think it is only fair that people like Craig are given credit.
They serve as role models and inspiration for others to 'step up' and give back to society.
