DR. ROBERT CLINTON RIGSBY JR.
July 24, 1956-Feb. 15, 2018
Robert "Rob" Clinton Rigsby Jr., DVM, Goldsboro, died Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018, at Atantic Beach, N.C.
He was born July 24, 1956, on Langley Air Force Base, Va.
Rob was 61 years old.
Dr. Rigsby practiced veterinary medicine, and was the owner of Goldsboro Veterinary Hospital for many years.
After selling his practice, he continued to practice veterinary medicine at Hampstead Animal Hospital in Hampstead, N.C., a few days a week from 2011 to 2016.
This afforded him the time to pursue one of his true passions, being a fine artist.
Rob was extremely talented, and enjoyed creating beautiful paintings. His favorite subject matter was the coastal area and towns of Eastern North Carolina.
In 2016, to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the U.S. National Parks, he went on a journey to paint a "plein air" landscape painting in every national park he could drive to. This took him from the east coast of North Carolina to every corner of the Continental United States, including Alaska.
Upon his return, Rob wrote a book to document the experience. The two-volume book is entitled "Escape Into Plein Air."
Dr. Rigsby grew up primarily in Goldsboro, N.C.
He graduated from Eastern Wayne High School in 1974, attended Appalachian State University and received his undergraduate degree from North Carolina State University. He received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University.
He was also an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hiking, hunting and fishing.
Rob was an exercise enthusiast, and served on the board of directors of the Goldsboro YMCA.
Rob was loved by his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Dr. Kirby Harriss Rigsby of Goldsboro; his daughter, Morgan Rigsby of Raleigh, N.C.; as well as two adult stepsons, Kevin David Jones Jr., DVM, of Greenville, N.C., and Kyle C. Jones of Raleigh, N.C.
He is also survived by his parents, retired United States Air Force Lt. Col. Robert C. Rigsby Sr. and Patsy Hardy Rigsby of Aberdeen, N.C.; his brother, Thomas A. Rigsby and wife, Donna Brock Rigsby, of Hickory, N.C.; his niece and her family, Taylor Rigsby Perrigo, husband, Tyler Perrigo, and their son, Tucker Perrigo, of Knightdale, N.C.; and his nephew, Hunter T. Rigsby of Asheville, N.C.
Howell Funeral Home and Crematory in Goldsboro, N.C., is handling arrangements for Dr. Rigsby.
There will be a memorial service Friday, Feb. 23, at 6 p.m. in the chapel at Howell Funeral Home and Crematory, 1500 Wayne Memorial Drive, Goldsboro, N.C., 27534.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Animal Rehab Fund, AHLC, 6724 Washington St., LaGrange, N.C., 28551, 252-566-3090, or the Arts Council of Wayne County, 102 N. John St., Goldsboro, N.C., 27530, https://www.artsinwayne.org/contributing.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on February 20, 2018 8:05 AM