Scientist, teacher Robert Riggs remembered for lasting impact on soybean production
"{His work has had a lasting impact on improved soybean production, through his work identifying and applying natural resistance to one of the most challenging of pests on this important crop.” — Ken Korth
By the U of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Nov. 14, 2024
Fast facts
- Riggs earned Spitze Land Grant, John White Awards
- Known for impact in soybean production methods
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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.— Researcher and teacher Robert Riggs is being remembered as a gentleman and “a nematologist’s nematologist,” who always kept Arkansas soybean growers in mind.
Riggs passed away Oct. 21, 2024, at age 92. He was born in Pocahontas, Arkansas, and moved to Fayetteville to earn his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Arkansas. After marrying Jennie Lee Willis, Riggs went to North Carolina State University to earn his doctorate.
Ph.D. in hand, he and his wife returned to Arkansas in 1958, where Riggs worked as researcher and teacher in plant pathology.
“Bob was a true gentleman, and a dedicated teacher and scientist,” said Ken Korth, head of the entomology and plant pathology department for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.
Riggs focused on nematodes, tiny worms whose feeding habits and reproduction can cause significant damage and economic losses in soybean crops.
“Dr. Riggs was an esteemed scientist, and he was well respected by his peers as evident in his being named a Fellow of two scientific societies in recognition of his achievements,” Korth said.
“He emphasized practical application of his research findings to help farmers and food production,” Korth said. “His work has had a lasting impact on improved soybean production, through his work identifying and applying natural resistance to one of the most challenging of pests on this important crop.”
During his years at the university, Riggs’ research and publications earned him many honors, as well as international recognition for his advances in controlling nematodes. In 1989, he earned the John White Award from the Division of Agriculture for outstanding contributions to research. In 1993, he earned the Distinguished Faculty Achievement in Research from the university. The U.S. Department of Agriculture bestowed its Honor Award in 1994 for his studies on the soybean cyst nematode. In 2001, he earned the Spitze Land Grant Award from Bumpers College.
Riggs also served as the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Nematology, the publication of the Society of Nematologists. He was also a member of the American Phytopathological Society and the Society of Nematologists.
Riggs retired in 2006 as professor emeritus.
“He was a nematologist’s nematologist,” said Terry Kirkpatrick, himself a nematologist and professor emeritus from the University of Arkansas and the Division of Agriculture.
"He advised a lot of graduate students who are spread all over the world,” he said. “He did a bunch of good for the soybean growers over the years, relative to managing soybean systematically.”
Growing up in northeastern Arkansas, Riggs “always had Arkansas soybean farmers in the forefront of his mind,” Kirkpatrick said.
Riggs is survived by his four children, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Nov. 22, 2024, at 3 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church Stash Busters Quilt Group and Washington County Historical Society.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media contact: Mary Hightower
mhightower@uada.edu