Fred Rigby was born in Montana in 1914. He studied mathematics at Reed College in Oregon and State University of Iowa where he received a Ph. D. in 1940. During World War II, Rigby served in the United States Navy and afterwards joined the Office of Research and Inventions (later the Office of Naval Research) as a civilian. Within the Office of Naval Research he served as Head of Logistics Branch (1946-1958), Director of Mathematical Services Division (1958-1962), and Deputy Research Director (1962-1963) and was the founding editor of Naval Research Logistics Quarterly. In 1963, Rigby accepted the position of Dean of the Graduate School at Texas Technological College in Lubbock, Texas. He continued his career at Texas Tech, holding additional office as Vice President of Academic Affairs and Director of Institutional Study and Research, until his retirement.
From the guide to the Fred Rigby Papers, S1686. 1., 1955-1984 and undated, (Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library, Texas Tech University)
