Sterling Charles Rigby
"With tears in his eyes of joy our father returned to his Father in Heaven" on Sunday April 10, 2016, Sterling Charles Rigby's vibrant life came to close. A man who had a heart of gold and radiated the importance of "Love One Another."
Sterling was born June 10, 1934 in Nephi Utah to Thorval Eugene and Opal Mcarthur Rigby. Sterling spent most of childhood in Orem, Utah. During his time at Brigham Young University he served as a Missionary in the North California Mission for the LDS Church and served in the U.S. Army in France. After Graduation he moved to Catalina Island to teach High school and coach Basketball, this is where he met an adorable little Albania girl, named Ella, who swept him off his feet. On August 25, 1962 he married Eleni (Ella) Chacho in the Manti Temple. Shortly after, he received his MA and EDs from Stanford University and his Doctorate of Education from the University of Utah. Sterling and Ella then decided to settle down and raise a family in Los Altos, California, a place where they not only made lasting friendships, but made eternal friendships there. They moved their family to Saudi Arabia for a time to work over the Education Department for ARAMCO. Their final stopping place was Salt Lake to be closer to their daughters.
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he loved sharing his testimony and serving in the church. He had a genuine love for people. He loved and found the good in everyone he came into contact with. Sterling loved serving the Lord whenever and whatever he was called upon to do. For Sterling it was an honor to serve in the numerous bishoprics and stake presidencies that he was called to in his lifetime but any church job he was called to was a blessing to him. He served the Lord with compassion and unconditional love. Sterling will be remembered as an amazing husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, friend, and example of our Savior Jesus Christ. Sterling said his contribution to the world is his daughters and his granddaughters.
Sterling is survived by his wife Eleni (Ella) Rigby, who was the love of his life, by his two daughters Lexie Ann (Stephen) Dubell and their daughters Savanna and Olivia of Salt Lake City; Cameron Cay (Eric) Bresnick and their daughters Sophia and Samantha of San Diego.
Sterling is preceded in death by his parents and his brother E. Bertrand Rigby
The family will be eternally grateful to the people of the Los Altos Stake, The Arabian Peninsula Stake, the Salt Lake 4th Ward, and the Monument Park 12th Ward for loving and befriending our father.
The family extends special thanks to the caring staffs of Home Instead Company and the Solstice Hospice/Palliative Care. Their comfort and compassion was deeply appreciated.
In Lieu of flowers Sterling requested donations to Curesearch.org, whose research saved his granddaughter, Olivia's life.
Friends and family are invited for a viewing Monday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Larkin Sunset Lawn at 2350 East 1300 South. There will be a Funeral/ Interment services will be held Tuesday April 19, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at the Larkin Sunset Lawn.