Pioneers of St. Clair County, Michigan - Person Sheet
Pioneers of St. Clair County, Michigan - Person Sheet
NameRichard DeFreest BIGGAR 
MemoHuntington Hospital
Death11 Jan 2023, Pasadena, Los Angeles, California1176 Age: 83
EducationBA, Economics, Stanford Univ., 1961; MBA, Amos Tuck, 19681177
NicknameDick1177
Occupation1968-91: J. H. Biggar Furniture Co., Pasadena, CA1177
FatherJohn Hall BIGGAR (1906-1992)
MotherGrace Helene DEFREEST (1906-1983)
Individual Notes
• J. H. Biggar Furniture Co. Family owned chain of medium to high-end furniture stores in southern California. Concentrated mainly on the merchandising end of the business, trying to stay one step ahead of the changes in consumer tastes and have the right merchandise on hand.1177
• [excerpts]
Richard D. Biggar died peacefully at home surrounded by family, at the age of 83, on January 11, 2023. He grew up attending Pasadena schools and graduated from John Muir High School in 1957. He attended Stanford University, where he joined and became the President of the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity. Upon graduation from Stanford, Richard joined the US Navy and served for three years as a Lieutenant on a mine sweeper in Vietnam. He and Susan married in 1966 and moved to Hanover, New Hampshire, where Richard attended the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. After earning his MBA, they returned to Pasadena, where Richard began work in J.H. Biggar Furniture Company, the family business since 1926. He and his brother Jack managed the business until it was sold in 1991. Richard continued to manage the business’s properties and started Allen Avenue Self Storage in 1999, which continues today.
Richard was an active leader in the Pasadena community. He joined the Pasadena Jaycees in the early 1970s and served as President. Richard was a member of Pasadena Rotary for close to 50 years, helping the organization fund local nonprofits. He served as President of the Pasadena YMCA from 1986-87. He was also active in the Tournament of Roses Association for many years.
Richard lived life to its fullest. He was a lifelong golfer and member of Annandale Golf Club for over 50 years. He was an avid runner, practiced yoga, and skied into his seventies.1176
• [excerpts]
Richard D. Biggar died peacefully at home surrounded by family, at the age of 83, on January 11, 2023. He grew up attending Pasadena schools and graduated from John Muir High School in 1957. He attended Stanford University, where he joined and became the President of the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity. Upon graduation from Stanford, Richard joined the US Navy and served for three years as a Lieutenant on a mine sweeper in Vietnam. He and Susan married in 1966 and moved to Hanover, New Hampshire, where Richard attended the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. After earning his MBA, they returned to Pasadena, where Richard began work in J.H. Biggar Furniture Company, the family business since 1926. He and his brother Jack managed the business until it was sold in 1991. Richard continued to manage the business’s properties and started Allen Avenue Self Storage in 1999, which continues today.
Richard was an active leader in the Pasadena community. He joined the Pasadena Jaycees in the early 1970s and served as President. Richard was a member of Pasadena Rotary for close to 50 years, helping the organization fund local nonprofits. He served as President of the Pasadena YMCA from 1986-87. He was also active in the Tournament of Roses Association for many years.
Richard lived life to its fullest. He was a lifelong golfer and member of Annandale Golf Club for over 50 years. He was an avid runner, practiced yoga, and skied into his seventies.1176
Spouses
ChildrenRobert
(Private)
(Private)