Rigoberto Ortiz Rivera, age 87, passed away on Thursday, March 10, 2022.
The Funeral Mass will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 26, 2022 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. He will be laid to rest with full US Army Honors at Greenwood Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Friday, March 25th from 4 to 6:30 p.m. (with Rosary held at 6:30 p.m.) at McReynolds-Nave & Larson Funeral Home.
Rigoberto entered into this life on December 14, 1934 in Puerto Rico to parents Geronimo and Justina Ortiz Rivera. Mr. Rivera was fluent in several languages, has his MBA and a PhD in Criminal Justice from the University of Louisiana, and is a third degree black belt in Judo and Karate, which he obtained while serving in the military. He was retired from a prestigious career with the US Army where he served as a criminal investigator for over 20 years and retired with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2. Throughout his military career, Mr. Rivera was the recipient of numerous awards and medals including the Bronze Star and the Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Campaign Stars. He was the first Hispanic minority company to ever receive a overseas guard contract at three U.S. Embassies. Rigoberto had memberships with the VFW, American Legion, WK&T Association, Polygraph Association, and was the owner and operator of Integrity International Security Services, Inc. for 38 years. During that time his agency provided the night security team that guarded the Tennessee State Veterans' Home in Clarksville during its construction. He was also a trusted and professional polygraph examiner.
In addition to his parents, Rigoberto was preceded in death by his beloved wife of over 50 years, Ernestine Schneider. Survivors include his daughter, Jasmin Chambers; grandsons, Michael Chambers (Raffaela) and Jonathan Chambers (Anna); and his great grandchildren, Mikey, Zachary, Brayden, Ivy, and Ashlyn.
Serving as honorary pallbearers are Michael Chambers, Jonathan Chambers, Larry Watson, John Mayer, and Somsack Sonthavilaylack.
Memorials may be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Arrangements are in the care of McReynolds-Nave & Larson Funeral Home, navefuneralhomes.com.
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