Larry Riggs
Shortly after graduating from Grover Cleveland High School, I enrolled at Valley State College (CSUN). All during my college career, I was totally involved in aviation. Flight instructing at Van Nuys Airport filled my time during the hours that I was not in class, as I accumulated every piloting license that was available for fixed-wing aircraft. I was obsessed and very happy.
About the time of graduation from Valley State, I married Linda Schuster (Chatsworth High School, 1966). We had a wonderful, loving marriage and we were blessed with three sons. My goal at the time was to become a commercial pilot for a major airline. However, it did not take long to realize that future employment with the airlines was improbable due to severe competition from retiring Vietnam pilots. I also came to grips with the fact that flight instructing would not be financially compatible with my goals in raising a family. We then relocated to Mission Viejo, where I changed careers and became a new home salesperson for the Mission Viejo Company.
A very few short years later, I joined Warmington Homes as a new home salesperson and was later promoted to Vice President of Sales. Finally, I became the Executive Vice President for Warmington Homes…the position that I held for over 20 years. Warmington had about 600 employees and built 1000-1500 homes per year throughout California and Las Vegas. There was also a significant bonus to my position as Executive Vice President: I additionally became the company’s pilot. Warmington purchased a twin-engine aircraft that I solely piloted (business and personal) for 17 years. This certainly seemed to be the best of all worlds and was a dream come true.
Tragically, my wife Linda passed away in 1994 at the young age of 46. I was now a single parent of three sons, the youngest being 14 years old. The long-forgotten art of dating came back into my life, which led to a new loving relationship with Carol DeLaney, who for the past 17 years has been Carol Riggs. Together, we have been most happy.
On January 1, 2005, I retired from Warmington Homes. I truly loved my career in the home building business, but simply wanted to experience new lifestyles, experiences and adventures.
During the years prior to retirement, Carol and I lived in Corona Del Mar, California, where we enjoyed beach living for many years. After retiring, we relocated to PGA West, in La Quinta, California and began a new life in the desert. We purchased a beautiful motor coach and immediately began our many tours of the lower 48 states, as well as coast-to-coast in Canada. To this day, we still love our travels in the coach and have accumulated about 2.5 years of unforgettable adventures. In addition to coach travel, we have been very fortunate to have traveled to many exotic destinations around the world.
After experiencing beach and desert living, we decided to “complete the circle” in our dream retirement to include mountain living, so we built another new home. This time it was in Durango, Colorado, at the southern tip of the Rocky Mountains. Our home is at the “Rocky Mountain High” elevation of 7,500’. We have now been in Durango for 6+ years and are enjoying all that each of the seasons has to offer.
Finally, I would like to say that I have wonderful memories of my tenure at Cleveland High School. Some of you may remember that I came to the San Fernando Valley at the age of 12, after both of my parents passed away while we were living in central Illinois. I left a full-year class size of 36 students in Illinois and joined a semester class at Northridge Junior High of 800. I was overwhelmed and very insecure. But it was my time at Cleveland High that included the honor of being elected to both Senior Class President and Student Body President that gave me the confidence and encouragement needed to enjoy a very successful career, followed by more than ten years of rewarding retirement. And for that, I am most appreciative to all of you that contributed to this story.
About the time of graduation from Valley State, I married Linda Schuster (Chatsworth High School, 1966). We had a wonderful, loving marriage and we were blessed with three sons. My goal at the time was to become a commercial pilot for a major airline. However, it did not take long to realize that future employment with the airlines was improbable due to severe competition from retiring Vietnam pilots. I also came to grips with the fact that flight instructing would not be financially compatible with my goals in raising a family. We then relocated to Mission Viejo, where I changed careers and became a new home salesperson for the Mission Viejo Company.
A very few short years later, I joined Warmington Homes as a new home salesperson and was later promoted to Vice President of Sales. Finally, I became the Executive Vice President for Warmington Homes…the position that I held for over 20 years. Warmington had about 600 employees and built 1000-1500 homes per year throughout California and Las Vegas. There was also a significant bonus to my position as Executive Vice President: I additionally became the company’s pilot. Warmington purchased a twin-engine aircraft that I solely piloted (business and personal) for 17 years. This certainly seemed to be the best of all worlds and was a dream come true.
Tragically, my wife Linda passed away in 1994 at the young age of 46. I was now a single parent of three sons, the youngest being 14 years old. The long-forgotten art of dating came back into my life, which led to a new loving relationship with Carol DeLaney, who for the past 17 years has been Carol Riggs. Together, we have been most happy.
On January 1, 2005, I retired from Warmington Homes. I truly loved my career in the home building business, but simply wanted to experience new lifestyles, experiences and adventures.
During the years prior to retirement, Carol and I lived in Corona Del Mar, California, where we enjoyed beach living for many years. After retiring, we relocated to PGA West, in La Quinta, California and began a new life in the desert. We purchased a beautiful motor coach and immediately began our many tours of the lower 48 states, as well as coast-to-coast in Canada. To this day, we still love our travels in the coach and have accumulated about 2.5 years of unforgettable adventures. In addition to coach travel, we have been very fortunate to have traveled to many exotic destinations around the world.
After experiencing beach and desert living, we decided to “complete the circle” in our dream retirement to include mountain living, so we built another new home. This time it was in Durango, Colorado, at the southern tip of the Rocky Mountains. Our home is at the “Rocky Mountain High” elevation of 7,500’. We have now been in Durango for 6+ years and are enjoying all that each of the seasons has to offer.
Finally, I would like to say that I have wonderful memories of my tenure at Cleveland High School. Some of you may remember that I came to the San Fernando Valley at the age of 12, after both of my parents passed away while we were living in central Illinois. I left a full-year class size of 36 students in Illinois and joined a semester class at Northridge Junior High of 800. I was overwhelmed and very insecure. But it was my time at Cleveland High that included the honor of being elected to both Senior Class President and Student Body President that gave me the confidence and encouragement needed to enjoy a very successful career, followed by more than ten years of rewarding retirement. And for that, I am most appreciative to all of you that contributed to this story.
Remember to click on a photo to enlarge it.
Executive Portrait, Warmington Homes (1988)
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Larry Today (2015)
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Larry Riggs, Flight Instructor (1969)
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As Executive VP and Company Pilot (1988)
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Larry and Carol-"Rocky Mountain High" (2013)
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Durango snow (2014)
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Visiting the Taj Mahal (2015)
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A brief rest after a long hike (?)
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Visiting the Great Wall of China (2013)
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At home in Durango (2013)
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Comments
I'm happy to see your life story unfold. We had some of the same goals early on in our growing up. After Valley State, we certainly headed different directions. However we both managed to have a flying career within our chosen professions. I have always been impressed with your all in approach to anything you have done. I'm glad life suits you. As a side note, Durango is incredibly beautiful. I actually flew a helicopter (LAPD-Bell 407) to Durango's Animas airport in 1997 on the way back from an airborne Law Enforcement convention.
I look forward to seeing you in October and catching up.
Your friend, Dick Eyster
I look forward to seeing you in October and catching up.
Your friend, Dick Eyster
Dear Larry, I do not think many knew what challenges you faced at so young an age, and I always think of you as smiling! Smiling with grace and warmth. I admire that you have the will to keep on smiling & carving out a life filled with love.
I am so glad that you are attending our Big 50th event! It will be joyous to see you again & to meet Carol! I think you have flown higher with out a plane than you realize.
Much admiration, gloria Dorcy Watts
I am so glad that you are attending our Big 50th event! It will be joyous to see you again & to meet Carol! I think you have flown higher with out a plane than you realize.
Much admiration, gloria Dorcy Watts
What a wonderful life you made for yourself, Larry. I didn't realize you were a "flight-nut" like Dick Eyster. How great that you were able to incorporate it into your working career and to travel all over the world. In school, I was always in awe of the way you exuded a quiet, positive strength and a kind, gentle nature. I was always surprised that you even remembered my name and grateful for how nice you always were to me. That's why we all voted you to be the Student Body President. You made everyone around you feel important and your smile was so infectious. Look forward to seeing you and Carol at the 50th.
Jeff Davis
Jeff Davis
Larry-
What a beautiful life you are living! Aviation, much travel, living in high, Low and In between places. Road trips extraordinaire! You have been through the mill emotionally -starting at a young age. Doesn't make it easier but the road ahead in grieving is a well worn path, that manifests uniquely each time. Many loves out there and you found a loving partner for this phase of life. Will be warm and fuzzy to see and hug you in October!
Your friend, Chris Van Laar
What a beautiful life you are living! Aviation, much travel, living in high, Low and In between places. Road trips extraordinaire! You have been through the mill emotionally -starting at a young age. Doesn't make it easier but the road ahead in grieving is a well worn path, that manifests uniquely each time. Many loves out there and you found a loving partner for this phase of life. Will be warm and fuzzy to see and hug you in October!
Your friend, Chris Van Laar
Hey Bro! Loved reading your story. Filled in a few blanks for me. It’s been wonderful to see you every few years at our reunions and mini-reunions. Let’s try to keep it up.
Kirk Lamb
Kirk Lamb