Henry Wiggans Obituary

Lieutenant Colonel Henry R. Wiggans, 93, of Colorado Springs passed away peacefully on April 21, 2010. He was born in Danville, Illinois on October 17, 1916 and moved with his family to Colorado Springs in 1918, where he spent his youth and much of his adult life. He graduated from Colorado Springs High School in 1935 where he was a member of both the track and football teams. He joined the Colorado Army National Guard and attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. During World War II he served with the 947th Field Artillery Battalion in the south Pacific, commanding field artillery units and participating in four invasions, including Goodenough Island and the Philippines. Among his many military awards is the Bronze Star awarded for Valor. At war's end, he mustered out of the Army but remained in the Army Reserve until his retirement from military service in 1976. He moved to Denver, Colorado in 1947 to pursue a career in the insurance field. He worked for the Continental Insurance Companies as a claims adjuster and as the manager of the company;'s Rocky Mountain Region office in Denver. His organizational and management skills were so valued by Continental that even after his retirement he was often recalled as a consultant and troubleshooter. LTC Wiggans was a life-long Mason and an active member of the historic Masonic Lodge #7 in Denver. He served as the Lodge's Worshipful Master in 1971. In 1994, he served as High Priest of the Denver Chapter #2, Royal Arch Masons. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Jenon, and his two children, Bruce Wiggans (Kate) and Barbara Radvanczy (Nicholas). He has four grandchildren, Barrett Wiggans, Travis Wiggans, Rebecca Radvanczy, and Second Lieutenant Mark Radvanczy. He also has two great-grandchildren, Holt and Kilee Wiggans. A daughter, Beverly, preceded him in death in 1957. He was interred at Evergreen Cemetery on April 27, 2010 with Masonic and Military Honors. Lieutenant Colonel Henry R. Wiggans was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was a man of deep faith, integrity, and conviction. He is truly missed but lovingly remembered.