Dr. Robert C. Rigsby Jr.

Robert “Rob” Clinton Rigsby, Jr., DVM died Thursday, February 15, 2018 at Atlantic Beach, NC.  He was born on 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, NC 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, NC.  He graduated from Eastern Wayne High School in 1974, attended Appalachian State University and received his undergraduate degree from N.C. 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 and his daughter, Morgan Rigsby, of Raleigh, NC, as well as two adult stepsons, Kevin David Jones, Jr. DVM, of Greenville, NC and Kyle C. Jones of Raleigh, NC.  He is also survived by his parents, Lt. Col. Robert C. Rigsby, Sr. (USAF, retired) and Patsy Hardy Rigsby, of Aberdeen, NC; his brother, Thomas A. Rigsby and wife Donna Brock Rigsby, of Hickory, NC; his niece and her family, Taylor Rigsby Perrigo, husband Tyler Perrigo and their son, Tucker Perrigo, of Knightdale, NC; and his nephew, Hunter T. Rigsby of Asheville, NC.

Howell Funeral Home & Crematory, in Goldsboro, NC is handling arrangements for Dr. Rigsby.  There will be a Memorial Service on Friday, February 23rd, at 6:00 pm in the Chapel at Howell Funeral Home & Crematory, 1500 Wayne Memorial Drive, Goldsboro, NC 27534.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to:

The Animal Rehab Fund, AHLC

6724 Washington Street

LaGrange, NC 28551

Phone: (252) 566-3090.

OR

The Arts Council of Wayne County

102 N. John Street

Goldsboro, NC 27530

https://www.artsinwayne.org/contributing

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