Robert Dean "Bob" Wiggin
[1937-1994]
Robert Dean "Bob" Wiggin and his twin sister Betty were born December 31, 1937, in Bayard, Nebraska and died 9 Jul 1994 in Springfield, MO. The twins birth mother's name was Edna Atkins Simmons. The twins were adopted into the Wiggin family when they were four months old. Bob was a sickly baby, had to have special drops for his eyes, and he was a fussy baby. As a small child, Bob was one of 10 brothers and sisters who comprised the Unique Wiggin Family Band. Bob learned to play the trumpet. He gave his older brother Verne some keen competition on the trumpet, they were both very good!!! Unfortunately Bob didn't pursue that field of music.
Bob spent three years in the navy, stationed in San Diego, spent time in Japan, the Philippine islands, and other areas over the West Pacific. After the military service he moved back to Missouri. He drove truck for 26 years for Jones Truck Line from Springdale, Arkansas, across the country, and then for Assocociated Grocers until he was forced to retire in 1981. He had his leg amputated due to severe hardening of the arteries. Ironically, it was on the road years later that Bobby became ill, and died shortly thereafter. He loved the "road" that he had traveled on for so many years.
Bob has a daughter, Lisa, who lives in Carthage, MO, and two step-daughters he helped raise, Gay Robertson (who lives in Tulsa OK) and Annelie Robertson McDaniel (Seaside, CA).
Bob has a son, Robert Dean II, "Deano" Wiggin, who lives in Miller, Missouri, and a grandson Ethan James Wiggin.
On 16 Mar 1978 Bob married Joetta Browning Mick. He has four step-children: Debbie Tummons (lives in Springfield MO), Donna Thornton (Kansas City, MO), Donald Eugene "Poncho" Browning (Springfield MO), and Danny Browning (Branson MO). Joetta and Bob have 7 grandchildren.
In 1986 Bob lived in Vinita, Oklahoma, near his twin sister Betty. His health problems intensified - he had had several heart attacks. Bob later moved back to be with Joetta in Springfield, Missouri. He still looked forward to his visits with Betty and Don and family near Big Cabin, but enjoyed his home at 914 North Belview Ave, Springfield, MO. Joetta is a manager for a chain of Mexican restaurants.
In July 1994, Bob died. He precedes his wife Joetta, his children and grandchildren. He leaves his son Deano and grandson Ethan to pass on the Wiggin name. Bob also precedes in death his Mother, Lela Garrett, and 11 brothers and sisters. He also leaves 49 nieces and nephews, 66 great nieces and nephews and 7 great great nieces and nephews all descendants of the eleven Wiggin Family children.
LETTER FROM BOB'S DAUGHTER, LISA
I was a young girl when my father became ill. I remember my mother coming to my
school to tell me that my father had had a heart attack. I was devastated. My mother and
father had divorced when I was three years old. Although I saw my father only three
times a year, I idolized him. I was a true "daddy's girl." I remember vowing then that
when I grew up, I would be someone, a nurse or a doctor, that could take care of my
father.
As the years went by, my father continued to deteriorate in health. Within a time span
of four years, my father had a leg amputated, four heart by-pass surgeries, two other open
heart surgeries, and seven more heart attacks, two being severe. I was not always able to
be there when my father had his surgeries. My father did not feel it was necessary. He
would always say,"It's no big deal." He did not want to worry me. When I was not there,
I could not think straight. I kept thinking if I was already a nurse or doctor, I could be
there with him.
As I grew older, I remembered the vow that I had made as a young girl. However, I
did not feel that at the age of nineteen, I was ready or able to attend nursing school. I had
left school in 1984 before I graduated. I did obtain my G.E.D. in 1985. I truly felt that
because I had "dropped out," I could not finish nursing school.
In 1986, there was an event that changed my way of thinking. My father had to have
emergency surgery to repair a ruptured femoral aneurysm. Since my father was an
alcoholic at that time and had severe heart disease, the doctors strongly felt that he would
not survive the surgery. I rushed to my father's side at the hospital, which was seventy
miles away. I was able to see my father only a few short minutes before they took him to
surgery. Amazingly, my father survived the five hour surgery. But he was not out of the
woods yet. The doctors told my family and me that if he survived the night, it would be
close to a miracle. I never left my father's side that night, realizing as I sat there that I
could not help him as I had vowed. I had to go back to school.
In September 1986. I enrolled in Certified Nurse Assistant classes to see if I was
capable to do nursing work. I passed the class with a perfect score of 100%. I then
passed state board exam with the same score. I worked off and on as a CNA until 1991
when I decided to apply to nursing school. My father kept telling me that I should be a
nurse; I would be great at it. In December 1991, as my husband and I were leaving for
my father's for Christmas, we learned that I had been accepted to LPN nursing school.
When we arrived at my father's house, I told him the news, his eyes became moist, and
he told me, "I am so proud of you. Now I'll have my very own nurse." My father never
doubted that I would make it through nursing school. He was a constant means of
support. He would always say, "Don't give up, Lisa. I know you can do this." On
Valentines Day, 1993, my father pinned my graduation nursing pin on me at my
graduation. I had done it. I had graduated LPN nursing school with good marks (6A's; 5
B's).
As I began my nursing career, my first job was as a staff floating charge nurse in a
long term care facility. It did not take me long to realize tht I loved being a nurse.. I
loved being able to help people feel better or add ot their comfort in their final days. I
found that not only could I comfort dying patients, but also their family. I knew first
hand how difficult it was to deal with a situation involving a loved one that you have
absolutely no control over. I realized that you sometimes have to treat both the patient
and their family.
From that day in 1986, my father never took another drink of alcohol. He became
deeply involved in church. It was not long before he was appointed assistant choir
director. His health stabilized until March 1993. While I was taking my NCLEX review
in Springfield, MO where my father lived, I recieved a call from my step-mother that my
father had been taken to the hospital and was in ICU. He had had another mild heart
attack. During the course of his hospital stay, the doctors found that he had 75% heart
damage. They also found that he was headed towards renal failure quickly. Because of
the renal failure, my father was not a candidate for another heart catheterization due to
the fact that the dye would completely shut down his kidneys. We were told that my
father had only two years to live.
On July 9th, 1994, my father had a fatal heart attack in his van on the highway near
Marshfield, MO. My step-mother was driving the van at the time and was able to pull
into a convenience store and call for help. She told me that he felt no pain and that he
was praying when he died. That day was the worst day in my life. I just could not
believe that my "daddy" was gone. I felt guilty because I was not with him to help him
when he died. The doctors told me that there was absolutely nothing that I could have
done to save him; his aorta had ruptured. But there was no consoling me. I was his "own
private nurse." I should have been there. I came very close to leaving my nursing career
because of that guilt. However, I could hear my father saying once again, "Don't give up,
Lisa. I know you can do this." I decided to stay in nursing.
As my career advanced, I became interested in furthering my education. In June
1994, I received my I.V. certification. I n September 1994, I accepted a position as a
physician's office float nurse with one of the local hospitals. I learned how to draw
blood, perform electrocardiograms, schedule referral appointments and to teach patients
about nutrition. In July 1995, I accepted a permanent position with one physician and his
assistant. With this new position, I have learned to perform therapeutic phlebotomies
and to assist with bone marrow aspirations. In September 1995, I decided to try to obtain
my certification for advanced cardiac life support (A.C.L.S.). I was awarded this
certification in October 1995.
It has been almost two years now since my father passed away. The guilt is now
replaced by and inner peace knowing that he is no longer in pain. For the last six months,
I have contemplated returning to school to become a R.N. I can hear those same doubts
about finishing school once again. But as those doubts are heard, they are quickly
replaced by my father's words, loud and clear: "Don't give up, Lisa. I know you can do
this." Even now, my father remains a constant means of support.
Written by Lisa Bentley
June 1996
IN MEMORY OF OUR BROTHER BOB--ROBERT DEAN "BOB" WIGGIN
31 DEC 1937-9 JUL 1994
The traditional the Wiggin family reunion was held near Clinton, MO. in June 1994. Eleven of the twelve brothers and sisters were in attendance. It was another great time together, especially to have Bob with us as his health has been failing considerably. During the Sunday Service sharing time, Bob shared his testimony of how he loved the Lord and how his life has changed since dedicating his life to Him. Following with tradition, at the closing of the Sunday Service, the family once again joined hands and sang "Will the Circle Be Unbroken".
A few weeks after this reunion, the first break in that family circle of 12 children came when Bob died of a heart attack. The circle may be broken here on earth, but in heaven it will be rejoined as each one goes to meet our Lord.
For several years Bob separated himself from his family of brothers and sisters. Yet, he was always in their prayers and God heard and answered their cry and brought Bob back to Him and to the family. A few years ago, Bob rededicated his life to the Lord. He had such a wonderful and inspiring testimony of how God was working in his life. His ministry was in the area of discipleship and music. His specialty was playing the guitar and singing old time gospel songs. Even though Bob had staggering health problems, he went on with life trusting the Lord to carrying him through each day.
On 9 Jul 1994, Bob was called home to be with our Lord. Bob leaves a legacy of strength and endurance to his family. A legacy of perseverance no matter what the circumstances trusting in God to carry him through.
In remembrance of Bob's testimony:
Jesus is My Light by Cindy M. Grant
I trust a mighty beacon
to guide me day and night
I need not fear the waves that roar
for Jesus is my Light.
Jesus was indeed Bob's Light. It is time to say goodbye, Bob, we will miss you. The circle will be rejoined as the rest of us gather to be with you and with Jesus our Lord.
On 12 Jul, 1994, funeral services were held for Bob as he was laid to rest at the Halltown Cemetery near Springfield, MO. It is hard to say goodbye to Bob, we will miss him. The circle will be unbroken as the rest of us gather together to be with Jesus.
Bob's minister John Holmes, of the First Baptist Church, Brookline, Springfield, MO provided the following information from the church bulletin dated 17 Jul 1994:
"Our Sincere SYMPATHY is extended to Joetta Wiggin
and her family upon the Homegoing of her husband and
our friend, Bob Wiggin."
JUDGE GENTLY
Pray, don't find fault with the man that limps,
or stumbles along the road
Unless you have worn the shoes he wears,
or struggled beneath his load.
There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt,
though hidden away from view,
Or the burden he bears placed on your back,
might cause you to stumble too.
Don't sneer at the man who's down today,
unless you have felt that blow,
That caused his fall or felt the shame,
that only the fallen know.
You may be strong; but still the blow
that were his, if dealt to you
In the selfsame way, at the selfsame time,
might cause you to stagger too.
(Found in Bob Wiggin's Bible)
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