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 -

From Vince and Debbie Collier -

Gerry was in the Baker High School class of 1968 (Columbus, GA) with me and my wife Debbie. Our senior pictures were taken in August 1967, while Gerry was still 16.  We knew and loved all the Riggs family and kept in touch through the years. We miss Terri, Billie, Bill, and Gerry!  

- Vince and Debbie (Simmons) Collier

From Elaine Bean -

The house in Pagosa -

Gerry's family built this house in Pagosa over 30 years ago.  It was his favorite place on earth near his favorite ski slopes.

Here's the lake near his house -

Gerry skiing off the roof -

Skiing at Wolf Creek and Arapahoe Basin -

Thank you for your message regarding our dear friend, Gerry.  I have been deeply saddened ever since I was informed about his death on Sunday night, the 4th, just after it happened.  I miss him very much.  He was my ski buddy and friend for 12 years. 

- Bob Filice

From Mark Tirman -

Gerry and his VW -

Gerry and Sherry in the Grey Wolf Lodge at Wolf Creek -

Gerry with one of his famous igloos at Wolf Creek -

Gerry at Wolf Creek (Rock Garden), his favorite place to see the sun go down - Nov 2006 -