(Click here for related story on the Prospect Street fire and its effects on off-campus life)
No matter how Daniel Rigby (MSB ‘05) spent the first part of his weekend, on certain Sunday mornings he woke early to help build houses for the homeless. A dedicated member of Habitat for Humanity and Mother Theresa’s Hoyas, a community service group, Rigby often dragged his friends out of bed to join him.
“The two things I would point out most about Rigby are his community service and his faith,” his roommate, Richard Rowe (SFS ‘05), said. “He pulled a Mother Theresa’s Hoyas poster off the street and put it on our wall.”
Last Sunday morning, Rigby, an international business major, was killed in an electrical fire that began in his bedroom, the basement of his Prospect Street house. Rigby’s untimely death, just one week after the death of Georgetown junior Bobby Tremain in a boating accident, has shaken the Georgetown community. On Sunday night, more than 200 students gathered on Healy lawn for an impromptu vigil.
Rigby’s death has spurred a series of investigations into the safety of Georgetown-area townhouses. But even as they face eviction, Rigby’s many friends are rallying to support each other and preserve his memory.
“He was the uniting factor,” Jay Tedino (MSB ‘05), who had known Rigby since high school, said of this vast and diverse groups of friends.
Rigby was involved in many other activities at Georgetown, including the Business fraternity and Georgetown’s club rugby team.
“Danny loved Georgetown, he appreciated its culture of giving back and had wonderful friends that we feel we have been blessed with,” Kevin Rigby, his father, said.
On the rugby field Rigby was “the little guy who packed a mean punch. He was always looking to wrestle or to arm-wrestle,” Tedino said.
Off the field Rigby was a “big brother,” making sure everyone was comfortable and having fun.
“He went to church three times a week, once before the weekend to ask forgiveness in advance, and twice after to make sure the message got through,” Chloe Kamarck (CAS ‘07) said.
Kamarck had a unique relationship with Rigby-when her older brother, a good friend of Rigby’s, graduated last year, Rigby stepped in as a surrogate.
“I got to know him really well, but he wasn’t a close friend. He was my older brother,” Kamarck said. “He did everything older brothers do, from interrogating the guy I was seeing to making sure I was on top of all my classes. He took his job seriously.”
Rigby also stepped in to take care of Chloe’s dog, Daisy.
“Everyone remembers the short, red-haired Rigby walking a beagle, smoking a cigarette and pointing the dog toward every cute girl he saw,” Kamarck said laughing.
Rigby had a visible presence on the Georgetown campus, and according to Tedino, he loved that.
“I can’t tell you how much he looked forward to coming back every August,” Tedino said. “It was like being mayor of his own little town.”
Rigby wasn’t trying to escape his home in New Jersey, however. Friends emphasized his commitment to his family.
“He would be extremely proud of how his sister was captain of her varsity team,” Kamarck said.
In addition to his sister, an eighth-grader, Rigby is survived by his mother, father and brother, a senior in high school.
Mostly, Rigby will be remembered by friends and family as optimistic and genuine.
“He was a wonderful, happy person,” his grandmother said. “Always with a lovely smile on his face.”
