Channel 11 Broadcasting Legend Don Riggs Dies

The Channel 11 family lost one of its most revered and beloved members on Saturday.

Don Riggs, a pioneer of Pittsburgh television, passed away at the age of 81.

Riggs spent 20 years at WIIC and WPXI, from 1970 until his retirement in 1990.

Riggs’ career in entertainment started before he was 18, when he left home and joined the circus. He would hang from a suspended balloon 1,000 feet above the ground.

His broadcast career started in Columbus, Ohio. He began as a radio announcer in 1952 at WHKC radio, before moving to WBNS-TV in 1954.

His first tour of duty in Pittsburgh was from 1960 to 1967 at KDKA TV, as a host of a magazine-style show and a children’s show.

Budget cuts led Riggs out of Pittsburgh for two years in Indianapolis, before he returned to WQED, then WIIC.

Many people in Pittsburgh will remember Don Riggs for his counterpart, Willie the Duck. Willie the Duck was a hand puppet who first appeared on Cartoon Colorama, then read comics to children on Channel 11 news during a lengthy newspaper strike in the 1970s.

Over the years, Riggs hosted talk shows, anchored news, anchored the weather, and produced many specials and documentaries.

Riggs also had a love for aviation. It was his hard work that led the “Miss Pittsburgh” bi-plane back to Pittsburgh. It was the first plane in the nation’s history to make an air mail run. It now hangs at Pittsburgh International Airport, thanks to Riggs’ efforts.

Riggs was also a champion of the St. Barnabas Presents for Patients campaign, which helps add holiday cheer for seniors across the area to this day.

Riggs was married to his wife Joan, and he had four children and several grandchildren.

Funeral Arrangements for Don Riggs:

Beinhauer Funeral Home, Peters Township Visitation: Monday, February 23 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.; 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Funeral: Tuesday, February 24 11 a.m.