Richard Albert Briggs

Jun 28, 1942 -

Mar 3, 2024

On Sunday, March 3, 2024, Richard Albert Briggs, affectionately known as "Briggs," passed away, at age 81, surrounded by his close family friends.

Briggs was born in Monroe, Wis., on June 28, 1942. He was the second of five children born to Albert and Dorothy Briggs. He came from a small farm town and graduated from Albany High School in 1959. Briggs attended Wisconsin State University at Platetville, and graduated with a degree in civil engineering in 1967. After college, Briggs ventured outside Wisconsin and went to Washington state to work for the Washington Department of Transportation. In 1971, he made the big move north to Alaska and made it his home for over 50 years.

While in Alaska, Briggs continued his career as an engineer with the Alaska DOT. He loved the work he did and enjoyed the many places it took him throughout the state. He especially loved the people he worked with. His co-workers, several of whom remained longtime friends, remember Briggs as being a person who treated others with kindness, respect and fairness.

Among his close circle of friends, Briggs was known as "Our Briggs" or "Uncle Briggies," and was considered to be a member of the family. Briggs' most enduring qualities were his genuine care and concern for his family and friends. You could always count on Briggs to lend a hand.

The world was a better place for having Briggs in it. He will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him. His sweet nature, distinct laugh, positive outlook on life and kindness will be remembered. Briggs' memory will live on with his friends and his family, including his siblings, Delores, Glenda, Bob (Barb) and Gary (Debra); many nieces, nephews and cousins; and his Alaska family, Bill and Jackie Iverson and their children.

Briggs was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Dorothy; and brother-in-law, Jim Merrick. At Briggs' request, he was laid to rest next to his mother and father at Gap Church Cemetery in Albany, Wis.

Briggs enjoyed the simple things in life, and in his memory, his friends ask that you do the same. For those who were unable to say their final goodbyes to Briggs, please know he most likely would have said, "Thank you, thank you, thank you for your friendship! I really appreciate it!" The thing about Briggs is that he would mean it. He would mean it with all his heart. For full obituary, please visit https://everloved.com/life-of/richard-briggs/.