Don Riggs has passed away
Pittsburgh:Former broadcaster and avaition advocate Don Riggs passed away today at his Mount Lebanon home. He was 81. Riggs first came to Pittsburgh from Columbus in 1960 to host "Daybreak" on KDKA-TV (2). He also hosted "Safari" where, as "Bwana Don," he entertained children with Tarzan films. After a brief stint as a news anchor in Indianapolis, Riggs returned to Pittsburgh in 1968 to work at WQED-TV (13) and later WIIC-TV (11), now WPXI. He spent 20 years at 11 as a weather forecaster, broadcaster and community affairs secretary.
Mr. Riggs awas also a pilot and life member of the Experimental Aircraft Association. He played an instrumental role in the effort to restore, purchase and display biplane "Miss Pittsburgh" at Pittsburgh International Airport.
Readers’ Forum
Another part of my childhood has passed on. From Safari to Willy the Duck,Don Riggs was part of those mystical times.I feel very fortunate to have experienced Pittsburgh television when it was creative and fun,and gave us such gifted talent as Don Riggs.Rest in peace Bwana Don and Willy.
Conrad - February 22, 2009 at 10:31 am
My fondest memory of Don Riggs is that of my two brothers and I getting at 7:00 sharp every Saturday morning to watch the Tarzan movies Riggs showed on “Safari.”
He also used to read the funnies to Willie the Duck (WIIC) during various newspaper strikes in the early 1970s.
God bless and God speed, Don.
Rick - February 22, 2009 at 5:36 pm
You hit the nail on the head, Conrad.Don and Marcy Lynn sent all four of us brothers off the school every day near Slippery Rock.
He was a joy to converse with at airshows, and ALWAYS was approachable.Folks always felt that he genuinely appreciated you taking the time to talk to him.
Such folks are fewer and farther between in this day and age. :(
RJ
RJ Kanary - February 23, 2009 at 02:44 am
Boy you aren’t kidding RJ!
God Bless Don Riggs and his family at this time. He will be missed. What a talent and an asset to this area.
Casey - February 24, 2009 at 10:31 pm
I knew Don Riggs not so much as a television personality so much as for the fact that he saved my life. On November 30, 1969, I ran away from home and was gone for seven hours. I am blind and therefore didn’t know where I was, and Don Riggs found me on Bower Hill Road and drove me home. His son Eric was in my gym class at Jefferson School, so if you are reading this, Eric, I just want to tell you I’m grateful to your father because he saved my life before I almost froze to death.
Rick Miller - March 21, 2009 at 9:59 pm