Farewell

On August 1, 2009, 30 of Gerry's friends and family gathered to scatter Gerry's ashes on sacred ground at Wolf Creek, the ski area, above all others, he loved and held close to his heart for over 35 years. Gerry's presence was felt in the gentle winds that blew on the top of Knife Ridge, several times that afternoon. There was a true representation of Gerry's friends and family and his passions in life, with family from Oklahoma City, friends from his college days in Norman, OK, artists and friends from Colorado Springs, Denver, Pagosa Springs, Taos, Santa Fe, and his musician buddies from Pagosa and South Fork. Many stories were shared and genuine feelings of love for Gerry and how each person came to know him, what he had meant to them, and whatever it was that touched each heart. Gerry left a great legacy of friendships and precious memories to so many, and did more to stay connected with his friends and support the communities of artists (visual, musicians, skiers) he so valued and deeply loved. His legacy will live on. He did make a difference in the world, especially in the art world. Hopefully, the true gift of friendship, he shared with so many, will keep us connected in honor of his life.

Special Event - Gerry Skis Again!

Family and Friends of Gerry Riggs,

On August 1, family and friends will meet at Wolf Creek Ski Area to scatter Gerry's ashes as he requested. If you plan to attend, or have questions, please contact:

Sherry Fairchild, Colorado Springs at email: sdfairchild@mac.com

or cell: (719) 460-8569

or Carl Mori, Pagosa Springs at cell: (970) 903-9875

We would like to have an idea of how many plan to be there.

Transportation will be generously provided by the Wolf Creek Ski area owners and the number of folks planning to attend will determine the mode of transportation up the mountain to the Knife Ridge Outpost, where Gerry's ashes will be scattered. This was one of Gerry's favorite places to be and ski.

If you plan to attend on August 1, please bring a thought, a song, music, a poem, or any offering, and/or blessing you would like to share.

For those interested, we will meet at the Pagosa Brewing Company following. This will be a causal gathering of family and friends to share stories, music, etc.

Food and drink service is available. The Pagosa Brewing Company, is located at 118 N. Pagosa Blvd, southwest of downtown Pagosa Springs, off Highway 160. See MapQuest for directions.

Here are the logistics and details:

Where: Wolf Creek Ski Area near the top of Wolf Creek Pass and the website for maps & information: http://www.wolfcreekski.com/maps.asp

Date: August 1, 2009 - Gerry Riggs - Final Farewell (scattering of ashes) at Wolf Creek Ski Area

Time: 10 a.m. - Meet at the base area at Wolf Creek Ski area, near the ticket office and from there we will ride a lift or be transported up the mountain

Return: Noon - Return to the base area at Wolf Creek

Please feel free to pass this email along to others.

Here are some photos from Jim Meeks -

I was going though some slides at work and came across these.  I worked with Gerry for a while out at the Oklahoma Art Center back in the 80’s and these photos show him with his assistant Mykl Ruffino hanging an Andy Warhol painting.  The slides are dated April, 1996.

Jim Meeks

Chief Preparator/Photographer

Oklahoma City Museum of Art

Gerry the photographer -

One final photo I would like to share. This was taken in 1980, at Chimney Rock, just west of Pagosa Springs. There are some Anasazi ruins there. I believe the photo Gerry was making is now at the UCCS Gallery. I have to tell you, I can't stop thinking about him. The tribute at the gallery was wonderful!

Thanks

Paul Biles

We were alerted to this by Tim Cissell -

Below is the image of the January 13, 2006 cover of the Colorado Springs Gazette's "GO!" magazine. It's their Friday Arts & Culture pullout which featured an article about Gerry's retirement from the gallery director position he held at UCCS for 15 years.  The article, by Mark Arnest, paints an appreciative picture of the man in black.  Not sure who did the art here, but it's a great likeness. 

Here's the URL for the article: 

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4191/is_20060113/ai_n16004596/pg_1

Thanks, Sherry

Throughout the process of understanding the turn of events in the months that preceded Gerry's last days, crucial assistance has come from Gerry's close friend Sherry Fairchild.  Thank you, Sherry, for we can't think of another person who might feel the loss in the way you have, and all the while, your availability and hard work to help us and the communities of Pagosa Springs, Colorado Springs and Oklahoma City through this event is no less than a generous and loving gift from you to Gerry. 

- Friends of Gerry Riggs

From Judith Rice-Jones -

In honor of Gerry Riggs

Many thanks to those who arranged the moving tribute to Gerry.  The number of his friends and fans was impressive as was the breadth of his interests and friendships.   Gerry was an exceptionally genuine and authentic individual and everyone recognized this quality in him.

  

I didn’t hear anyone address Gerry’s recognition of the beauty of our campus and its unique site opposite Pikes Peak.  At a past exhibit, Gerry displayed a number of his photos of the wonderful rock formations on the bluffs.   Gerry often hiked all of the 500 plus acres of our campus and knew the unique beauty spots and exquisite view corridors that many have never seen or fully appreciated.

I believe it was this recognition of the specialness of our site and topography that bonded Gerry and Dot Heller.  Like Virginia Trembly, Dot and Larry Heller loved the land and its topography.  Dot was a founding member of the local Horticultural Arts Society and though she planted iris and lilacs immediately adjacent to their home she knew enough to appreciate the rich diversity of the plant life on their property and thus preserved the native plant communities.  With the loss of Gerry and the earlier loss last fall of Martha Mattoon, two people who knew Dot Heller and her hopes for her land are gone.

Gerry also took the time to fulfill a specific request of Dot’s.  When Larry died, Dot had scattered his ashes on the Heller land.  She had asked the same for herself but instead her ashes were buried next to the headstone for her and Larry.  After the service, Gerry disinterred her ashes and scattered them as Dot had requested.

From Alina Padilla-Miller-

Gerry was a significant part of my life while I was working towards my undergrad degree. I worked for Gerry for two years as a curator assistant and it was one of the best experiences of my time in Colorado Springs. I miss him and the gallery. Thank you Gerry for making a mark on my life that has forever changed my direction. You gave me a lantern and I continue to use it.

Messages from the gallery registry -

Gerry was ever present at shows for new artists.  He supported us with his presence and words.

- Tim Davis

Gerry was a gentleman, a pro, a working man. I enjoyed every moment I spent with him, and I respected him immensely.  

- Malcolm McCollum

We’ll miss your friendship, your spirit, your igloos and the tunes.  

- Val & Dean Schoenherr  

You bro.  

- no name given

Thanks, Gerry!  

- no name given

We love you Gman!  

- Marco and Stephanie Tirman

An inspiration for energy and art! We thank you Gerry!!  

- M. Osborn.

Gerry, you were a great friend to many Denver artists.  We will miss your smile and great shows.  

- Sandy Toland

Gerry was there for me during the time that we taught together at UCCS whatever problem.  

- Dawn Wilde

Ten years after working with Gerry in the Gallery Management Program at UCCS, he remains a continual inspiration for me of dedication, professionalism, and the goofy relaxed attitude that it takes to pull it all together.  

- Doug Beechwood

I appreciate that you taught me how to play the drums…sort of.  Thanks.

- Will Small

Hi Gerry.  Did you hear Obama won? I’m still going to make a lot of crazy art and there’ll be a little part of you in every piece.  Thanks for all the camaraderie, consultation, conversation, critiquing, comfort, concern, congratulations, collaborations, and commingling over the years. I love you and miss you.

 

- Kat Tudor

In Gerry's words -

“There’s a need for art that connects us to each other.  You go far enough back in any culture, and you find these rituals, these ways of bringing people together.  I think that connectedness is so important to us.  It always has been, you know; the rituals tell us that.”

- Gerry Riggs  

Thanks to Judith Rice-Jones for sending this in.

The Colorado Springs Tribute to Gerry, UCCS Gallery of Contemporary Art, January 23, 2009.

The Colorado Springs tribute to Gerry drew people from Denver, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arizona, Florida, Pagosa and Colorado Springs and points between & beyond.  Gerry's family from Oklahoma City were there.  Musicians from Pagosa and Colorado Springs jammed for hours.  Gerry's drums and skis were there along with some of his famous photo documents of the many people who ever attended one of his gallery events or skiing excursions.  College of Letters Arts and Sciences Dean Tom Christensen emceed the evening.  Twenty speakers took advantage of the open mic telling stories about Gerry's dynamism.  It was proposed that the gallery be renamed in his honor.

The event went quite well.  Many wonderful and timely things were said.  People who hadn't seen one another since Gerry retired in 2006 were reconnected.  Witnessing the crowd and feeling the magnitude of Gerry's reach in the community was profound and illuminating.  I think the process of accepting Gerry's passing was helped by this gathering and a renewed sense of community will carry forward - a sense of community that only Gerry Riggs can take credit for.  

Photos by Jeff Foster/UCCS

Chancellor Pam Shockley Zalabak spoke to a crowd of over 300 people

VAPA Department Chair, Suzanne MacAulay

Local Artist Dave Voth

One of many musicians there that night

From Victoria Montana Ryan -

"It was always fun to stand slightly in the wake of Gerry's bright light.  It's a little darker now but if you look up at the twinkling stars you'll recall the twinkling eyes and know that he will always remain with us - in our hearts"
Miss you G.

Link -

You can track and post additional comments at Legacy.com -

http://www.legacy.com/gazette/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=122848128

EVENT: Oklahoma City Memorial Service for Gerry -

There will be a short (it's cold) graveside service in the family plot on Saturday, February 7, at 3:30 p.m. at the Chapel Hill Cemetery, 8701 N.W. Expressway in Oklahoma City.  It will be followed by a memorial or tribute in the chapel on the premises.  Dr. Robin Meyers, rmeyers@okcu.edu will officiate and is asking for Gerry stories and Gerry music, the way Gerry would want it, a gathering of friends and loved ones, not too traditional.  Anyone willing to tell their own story or play their own music, please contact Robin.

 

Flip's, Gail's restaurant, is catering. 

 

Thank you for your help. . . . . Phoebe Key 

This comes from David Ryan at the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum -

Gerry was one of the first people that I met in Colorado Springs.  I had just started working for the Pioneers Museum and Gerry was working for the Fine Arts Center.  It was good to meet another museum person and it began a long and wonderful friendship.  Gerry was good at what he did at the FAC but you could tell that it didn’t challenge him enough.  When the head job came open at the UCCS Gallery it seemed that it was meant just for Gerry.

Over the years, Gerry guided and mentored many students who have gone on to bigger and better things.  Several students were sent my way by Gerry to work as work-study students at the Pioneers Museum and some have become lifelong friends.  One is Jonathan Sanchez who now lives and paints in Switzerland.  Dani Gliddon (Greer) is another who farms and creates wonderful art along with her husband Michael out on the high plains in Flagler.

Gerry was my mentor as well.  When I entered the MLS/me program at the University of Oklahoma, I found out that Gerry was a graduate of the same program.  He helped me keep going through some bleak times when I was ready to give it up.  When I wanted to do my thesis on how homophobia prevented Colorado Springs from becoming an art colony like Taos and Santa Fe, Gerry convinced me that I needed to tackle something more expedient.  I ended up doing it on the history of the Pioneers Museum.  At his suggestion, the other topic will be a project for the future.

Some day the Heller property will move beyond the poor step-child of UCCS into the little piece of paradise that it is.  Some day the vision of Dorothy Heller and Gerry for a place where young artists can go to live and grow and be inspired will become a reality.  Long after all of us are dead and gone I think that Gerry will be remembered for the friendship that he developed with Dorothy and for this very important gift to the University.

I don’t have any photographs to include.  But when I close my eyes I can see that Cheshire cat grin on Gerry’s face.  I can see him working the crowd at an opening- the best schmoozer that I have ever known.  Rest easy my friend- your work will go on here by those you inspired.  Although I never got to take you up on that invite to go skiing at Wolf Creek, I’ll take a rain-check for that slope over the rainbow.

David Ryan

From Dani Greer -

Thanks for doing this. Legacy.com wouldn't print my memory book message because my blog link mentioned too much for their taste. I was so glad to learn that Gerry's medication for depression might have pushed him over the edge. It makes the reality of his death much easier to accept, because losing this friend in this manner was just too hard to fathom. He was just such an anchor for the rest of us, wasn't he? Rest easy, amigo. We'll all see each other again soon enough. Life is short - art is long. 

[please read the comment below - FoGR]

Gerry and his Dad in Pagosa -

Gerry playing drums with one hand-

From Pam Peltier Dickinson -

I had the pleasure of knowing this wonderful and motivating friend for 14 years. Gerry had such great passion for the arts community and skiing, naturally.  He shall be greatly missed yet his sweet smiles and inspiration shall be remained with many of us.  I am now picturing Gerry ecstatically skiing through Heavens and the Universe painting colorfully as he goes along!

From Bob Filice -

The Original Gangsters

The notorious G-Whiz with four other OGs, 1999 -

From Mark Chalom -

Here's a photo of the Norman boys at a get together at Pagosa. 

Mark, Jeff, Gerry, Paul, Fred, and Mitch -

The Tribute Jam Session in Pagosa Springs -

Here's a link to the tribute party that took place on January 7th in Pagosa at the La Tazza Restaurant with text by DC Duncan and more photos by Bill Hudson:

http://pagosaphotography.com/photography_news.php?mode=viewnews&id=10969&cat=4

From Tim -

Hey man,

I remember that moment. You and I were standing in one of the fire-escape stairwells and looking down to the landing where Gerry was standing. "Hey, you guys want to smoke some great hash...?" Ha. What a time!

We had some great adventures together. Gerry was great at making friends and better at keeping them. I miss the man.

Tim Cissell

From Paul -

I first met Gerry in 1969, Norman, Ok, OU, 12th floor, Walker Tower dorms. "Got some great hash" he said. That was the beginning of a beautiful relationship. Gerry and I have been on many adventures together since then. He has been a brother to me, and I miss him terribly.

 

I know all of you feel the same. He had the uncanny gift of making friends. He knew everybody! He has touched many lives. This web site is testimony of that. Here are a few photos from my most recent digital archives to share. Believe me I have hundreds of old photos from the hippy days, but not the time to put them up here.

 

G-Man, I Love you.

 

Paul Biles

Gerry playing his vintage drum set -

At the senior center in Pagosa -

At a New Years Eve house party in Pagosa with Paul and Alex -

Playing in South Fork with Paul Orr and friend -

Some photos of Gerry at the numerous art events he staged or attended -

From Mark Chalom -