Sailors’ 12th man celebrated

Dave Riggle, known for his 15-year allegiance to the Newport Harbor High football program, is fondly remembered at memorial service for his ability to touch many lives.COSTA MESA -- Dave Riggle’s recurring presence on the sideline at Newport Harbor High football games the last 15 years helped him become known as the Sailors’ 12th man.

At a memorial service attended by an overflow crowd estimated at 200 Friday at Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, he was remembered for his unwillingness to stand on the sidelines of life.

Friends, family members and others he helped in 22 years as a drug and alcohol counselor recalled Riggle as a cantankerous, deeply caring man whose passion for recovery equaled his love of Newport Harbor football.

He died Monday of liver failure at his Costa Mesa home. He was 59.

Riggle’s son, Matt Riggle, was a senior two-way starter on the 1994 Newport Harbor team that went 14-0 and won the CIF Southern Section Division V championship. Dave Riggle became a regular attendee at Newport Harbor practices when his son entered the program in the fall of 1991.

After Matt graduated and became an assistant coach for the Newport Harbor freshman team, Dave continued to follow the Sailors, rarely missing a freshman or varsity game -- home or away -- before he fell ill toward the end of last season.

“Our friendship was unique,” Matt Riggle said Wednesday. “I’m very proud of how many people he helped get their life straight and on the right path.”

Friday, laughter and tears flowed as three of his four children; friends and Newport Harbor coaches and staff members praised his commitment to touching lives.

A native of Buffalo, N.Y., Riggle was a talented artist whose work was displayed at the service. He moved to California in the 1960s.

In recovery himself since 1980, Riggle used love, loyalty, patience, tolerance and humor to inspire others to seek a similar path, said some of those who spoke.

Newport Harbor freshman football Coach Joe Urban said Dave and Matt Riggle were never afraid to show how much they loved each other. It was a relationship, Urban said, that left a lasting impression on Newport Harbor players and coaches alike.

“That was more important than any play or technique our players learned,” Urban said.

Dave Riggle is survived by sons Matt and Shawn, daughters Dawn Sue Kester and Day, son-in-law Jason, three ex-wives, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild.