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Nov. 19, 1927 - Feb. 21, 2009 By Staff Reporters PITTSBURGH (February 21, 2009) The Pittsburgh broadcast community was saddened Saturday to learn of the passing of pioneer Don Riggs. He was 81.
Riggs first came to Pittsburgh in 1960 after several years in radio and TV in Columbus, Ohio. His first stop was at KDKA-TV where he hosted the highly succesful Daybreak show. Riggs remained at Channel 2 until 1967 - also appearing as Bwana Don on the Safari show. After a brief stint as an Indianapolis TV anchor, Don returned to Pittsburgh. He was a producer and documentary host at WQED for a short time before moving to Channel 11 (then WIIC) in 1970. He remained at WPXI until his retirement in 1990. Many people remember Riggs for his alter ego, Willie the Duck, who first appeared on Cartoon Colorama, then later read the funnies on-air during a 1970s newspaper strike. Don was a friend and mentor to many of today's local broadcasters, and a long-time member of AFTRA. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and from 10 to 11 a.m Tuesday, when a service will follow, at Beinhauer's, 2828 Washington Road, Peters Township. Click here for the remembrance on the WPXI Website |
