Dr J. Michael Rigg

1928–2010

Mike Rigg died recently in the Purdy Unit at UBC, where he had been for several years with advancing Parkinson disease. 

He qualified with a Cambridge degree, his clinical training carried out at Guy’s Hospital in London, England. After initial house jobs, he served for 2 years in the Royal Army Medical Corps with a Gurkha regiment. He then undertook pediatric training in England and immigrated to Vancouver in 1958 as senior pediatric resident at St. Paul’s. 

He was certified by the Royal College in 1960 and entered general pediatric practice in Vancouver. Mike was also active in the provision of traveling consultant services to outlying communities such as Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, and he was medical consultant to St. George’s in Vancouver. 

His interest in the military continued and he became medical officer to the Seaforth Highlanders. 

He was active in professional associations, becoming president of the BC Pediatric Society, president of the Can­adian Pediatric Society, and chairman of a task force to review the society’s constitution. He was closely involved with the establishment of formal links with the American Academy of Pediatrics and was president of the BC chapter of the Academy for many years.

He served on many hospital committees and was a keen member of clinical faculty, reaching the rank of clinical professor. He was well res­pected both as a clinician and as a teacher.

Michael enjoyed a wide circle of friends outside as well as within the medical community. He was a trustee for the Koerner Foundation and a member of the Medical Legal Society of BC. 

Mike was a first-class pediatrician, as well respected by colleagues who sought his advice as a consultant as he was by the young patients and their parents who came to his office. He was well informed on a broad range of topics, medical and otherwise; a delightful companion and a good friend. 

Mike’s enjoyment of professional success was marred by an almost un­believable sequence of medical problems affecting the health of his family, and finally his own health. It was impressive to see the fortitude he showed in the face of adversity.

He is survived by his wife, Alison, and his sons, Andrew and Christopher.
—Robert Hill, BMBCh
Vancouver