Born 1/17'1950 in Newport Washington, to George and Lucile Riggs, on one of the snowiest winter days in history.

Gary had a favorite tree in the backyard that he had to climb every day.

When he was five, he moved with his family to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

He graduated from Coeur d'Alene Highest School in 1968, and started college at North Idaho College in 1969,

In 1973 he graduated at University of Idaho , with a degree in Electrical Engineering.

He went to work full time for Bonneville Power Administration as an electrical engineer. That was his field for ten years, then

in the early 1980's switched to computer programming and administration.

He met Gaye Rumsey in 1987, and they married in 1989, in Portland Oregon. They had two children, Graham and Heather.

Gary retired in 2011 after 40 years of government service, and now enjoys his retirement, climbing as many mountains as he can.