LOREN RIGGINS Jr.

Loren Riggins Jr., former president of Riggins Oil in Vineland and longtime supporter of the Boy Scouts, died Monday, Dec. 6, 2010, after an extended illness.

Loren Riggins Jr. was born in Vineland on June 30, 1926, to Loren Riggins Sr. and E. Blanche (Jardine) Riggins. He lived with his sister, Betty, and his parents at 3944 S. Main Road, the current location of the Riggins Oil headquarters. Growing up, Loren worked at the family business, first known as South Vineland Feed and Coal Co. and then as the L.S. Riggins Oil Co. He graduated Vineland High School in 1943 and was accepted to Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa. After a brief start at Bucknell, Loren enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served on the USS Silvertein in the Pacific Theatre during the World War II. During the battle of Iwo Jima, Loren's post involved loading the 4-inch shells into the large guns of the ship as it was bombing the island. At the end of the war, Loren was discharged in San Diego and hitch hiked across the country back to Vineland. He was grateful that he never paid for a meal, transportation or lodging during the entire trek back home due to the kindness and generosity of citizens toward the enlisted. Loren resumed his education at Bucknell University after the war and graduated with a business degree in 1949. He was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity.

Upon his return to Vineland, he again worked at the family oil business. He married Joan Sharpless of Millville in 1950. They had four children, Pat (Cummines), Bobby, Paul and Steven. Loren soon took the leadership role at the family business and diversified the heating oil business by venturing into gasoline service stations and wholesale petroleum marketing. The oil business grew to be one of the largest petroleum distributors in the State. Loren successfully passed the operation down to the third generation of the family in 1991. Though he spent many hours in the family business, his real passion was the Boy Scouts, which he first joined at the age of 12. With his good friend Henry Hansen, Loren made a second career with the Scouts. He served as Scoutmaster of Troop 10 at South Vineland Methodist Church. During his tenure there, he helped guide countless boys through the ranks, introducing them to local camping, national jamborees, Philmont expeditions in New Mexico and world jamborees as far away as Japan. His service produced dozens of boys who attained the rank of Eagle Scout, the Boy Scouts of America's highest rank. After leaving the post of troop leader, Loren stayed intimately involved in the Southern New Jersey Council of the Boy Scouts, where he served as council president. He was a tireless fundraiser for capital improvements at the camps, including Chimney Mountain Scout Reservation in New York, and camps Roosevelt, Grice and Diller. He also worked energetically for the council's endowment fund. In addition, he was an advisor for Boy Power dinners. His crowning achievement was the donation of material, labor and services to construct the regional headquarters building at South Main Road and Route 55 on land that he donated. This facility was named in his honor upon its opening.

After 60 years of dedication to the Boy Scouts and countless awards and recognition for the same, the National Council of the Boy Scouts awarded Loren its highest honor, the Silver Buffalo. Loren was a life long member of South Vineland Methodist Church, where he served in many capacities, a member of Rotary International and he served on the executive board of the Vineland YMCA. Other honors included the city of Vineland Young Man of the Year in 1962, Vineland Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Citizen of the Year in 1978 and the Vineland Library Foundation Philanthropist of the Year in 2005.

He is survived by his daughter, Patricia and Richard Cummines of Vineland; son Paul Riggins and Marianne of Moorestown; son, Steven and Debra Riggins of Millville; daughter-in law, Camille Riggins of Vineland; longtime companion, Marge Catto; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by wife Joan; sister, Betty DeVico; and son, Robert.

Relatives and friends will be received from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Pancoast Funeral Home, 676 S. Main Road, Vineland, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church, Seventh Street and Landis Avenue, Vineland. His funeral service will be conducted precisely at 10 a.m. at the church with burial to follow at Siloam Cemetery in Vineland. Parking is limited in front of the church; please use municipal lot on Wood Street behind the post office.

The family requests that donations be made to the endowment fund of the Southern New Jersey Council of the Boy Scouts of America, 4468 S. Main Road, Vineland, NJ 08360; or the Joan & E. Blanche Riggins Memorial Scholarship, c/o First United Methodist Church, 700 E. Landis Ave., Vineland, NJ 08360 (scholarship fund for students of the performing arts).

To e-mail condolences, visit www.pancoastfuneralhome.com.