Name: Butterworth Funeral Home - Arthur A Wright Chapel & Queen Anne Columbarium
Address: Seattle, WA

I met Steve when he was a Partner at Peat Marwick in San Jose and I joined the firm. I am one of the many folks that he made a lasting impression on. He is one of the best leaders that I’ve ever had the pleasure and privilege of working for. He had that rare mixture of confidence, intelligence and friendliness that made me want to follow him anywhere and made me strive to be my best. 

I remember walking towards him one morning and he greeted me with “morning Jeff” and I replied “morning Riggo”. He stopped, looked over his glasses, tilted his head slightly sideways, grinned and said “a few very close friends and marines get to call me that” and kept walking. Point made!

He was always well dressed and also extremely organized. I remember him joking about a co worker that had a baby seat in the back seat of the car and Cheerios all over the place. He couldn’t understand how someone could have their car look like that. When I found out he was expecting his first child, I asked him if he was going to strap a baby seat in the backseat of that fabulous black Jaguar. He smiled from ear to ear and said “YES, and that kid can throw anything it wants around the car!”. He always showed his heart but fatherhood took it to another level.

I can’t think of Steve without smiling. Great man. Charismatic leader. He made such an impact on many lives, including mine. My condolences to his family and friends. Rest in peace Riggo.

Steve recruited me out of college into PMM&Co.  He was the only reason why I turned down 9 other employment offers.  Steve stood by his word and was a phenomenal leader.  He was a natural mentor - he even mentored me in that first college interview. 

Rest in eternal peace, Steve.  You earned it.  Hope to see you in the next life.  Best to your family.

With great respect,
Dennis

So sorry to hear the news about Steve.  We have fond memories of him from the years our kids were at St. Joe's together.  My favorites were at Y-guides events - campouts, pinewood derbies, pumpkin carvings, etc. Seems like when comparing our pinewood cars before the big race Steve was always pretty sure he had a better design.......and turns out,  he did!  

He was a remarkable guy with a quick wit, great sense of humor and keen intellect.  Barb and I send our deepest condolences to the whole family.

Michael and Barb Maher
Seattle, WA

I worked with Steve over the years and he was truly one of my favorite partners at KPMG.  I was shocked to hear of his passing and send sincere sympathy to his family.  He will be missed.  Rest in Peace.

Steve was probably the most impactful mentor to me at KPMG.  I met him when he was a manager running the recruiting efforts for LA and I was part of the recruiting team for the Orange County office.  My first impression of Steve--he was decisive, focused and wanted to win (the best recruits)—and yes, the Marine discipline showed through.  

Many years later, his focus on winning came through again in his strong support for me, Ron Lopes, and Neil Miotto in our proposal to take the audit of Apple away from EY (of course this included dinners at The Plumed Horse).  Beginning at that time, he became such a great mentor and supporter of mine.  He was also a great salesman and he was persistent—and he would tilt his head down; yes, look over his glasses; and tell you why he knew what was best for you--which eventually led to me becoming the Audit PIC working for him when he was the LA office managing partner.  Even after his retirement, I consulted with him or remembered the words of wisdom that Steve imparted to me as I considered decisions or actions that I needed to take.  

My condolences to Sheryl and her family on such an early and tragic loss of a very great human being.  I know Steve was so devoted to and loved them.

My deepest sympathies,

Phil Schimmel


Although I didn't meet Steve before I joined KPMG 32+ years ago, I got to know him shortly after I started at the firm.  As so many have said, Steve epitomized leadership in ways that so few others do.  But, most importantly, Steve knew how to create a personal connection with virtually everyone.  There were many occasions where I can remember Steve "walking the cubes" amongst many of us junior staff and stopping to just "shoot the breeze" despite having so many responsibilies as a senior managing partner and so many other "more important" things he could be doing.

When I was contemplating leaving KPMG after having been with the firm only a few years, Steve took the time out of his evening to take me, a junior staff,  to dinner at his favorite spot, The Plumed Horse in Saratoga.  Steve worked hard to talk me out of leaving ... much to his chagrin, I still decided to leave the firm.  But, after being gone for less than a year, I placed my first call to Steve to ask to return to the firm, and he welcomed me back without ever saying "I told you so."  I am now the managing partner of KPMG's Silicon Valley office, the same role that Steve had many years ago. If I can succeed in being just a fraction of the leader that Steve was, I will consider that a huge achievement.

I would like to provide my most sincere condolences to Steve's family during this very difficult time.  Please know that Steve had a tremendous positive impact on both the firm of KPMG, and its people.

With deepest sympathy,

Ron Lopes

Having worked for and with Steve for the better part of 20 years, and even though that span was over 20 years ago, the mark he made on my life and career (and many others’) runs deep...Steve was always such a tough competitor, but one who was deeply principled and ethical, and, most importantly, balanced and caring in all that he did for his teams….I’ll always remember that wry smile, how he enjoyed “breaking bread”, and his eyes looking over his tilted eyeglasses as he emphasized a point with you or made you think that he was looking into your soul (he could!)…these were all the ways that he would coach you through your tough moments, help you with the 'lessons learned', have your back when you needed it, teach you to be a better manager, and celebrate your successes…Thank you, Steve....Rest in peace. My deepest condolences to his family and friends…


I was a sophomore at USC in 1983 when I first met Steve at a USC campus recruiting function.  Little did I know that I would join Peat Marwick Mitchell two years later and still be at KPMG today 36 years later.

My best memories of Steve were him helping me as a young partner navigate challenging client situations both in Silicon Valley and Los Angeles.  He supported and gave me confidence at a time when I needed it the most.  Like many, I viewed Steve as a great leader and mentor.

I offer my condolences on Steve's passing.  

John MacIntosh, Global Lead Partner

Steve was a special partner who influenced so many careers at KPMG.  He always seemed to be involved in major turning points in my own career.  He hired me from Long Beach State in 1982.  He conducted my board interview before my admission to the partnership in 1996 (on video conference no less!) and he sent me to Silicon Valley in 1999.  I remember his retirement dinner at the Plumed Horse (of course!) where the Great Carnac made an appearance.  Lots of laughter and lots of tears.
Steve, you fought the good fight and finished the race.  Rest in peace.


Steve had a profound influence on many careers, including mine.  I can still picture him holding forth about having to work in a cubicle in the old PBAS annex in Park Center Plaza, sitting at the Plumed Horse for hours on end recruiting college students over dinner, or just walking the halls and popping into my office with a loud "Hey Willy".  Our deepest condolences to his family at this difficult time, but please know this:  his spirit lives on among so many people he mentored at KPMG, and you can't recall any memory of Steve without a smile.  Godspeed Steve.

Steve was one of the reasons I joined KPMG. As an impressionable 22 year-old recent college graduate, having the suave managing partner of KPMG San Jose saunter up to my table at the Plumed Horse and join me for a glass of wine (maybe it was Port) is something I still remember fondly all these years later. As a partner, I remained impressed through the years by Steve's presence and ability to both control the room and to let others have their say. Rest in peace.

It is impossible to put into words how much Steve meant to me and my career.  It is because of Steve that I rejoined KPMG. I cannot reflect upon my career without thinking of him. He was that influential, a true icon and giant in the annals of KPMG Silicon Valley. He will always be remembered and revered by both me and Sharon. 

I met Steve during the hectic years of the dot.com boom and was impressed with his genuine, plain communication and honesty. His style was both instructive and comforting. It was my privilege to know him.

Mr. Riggins (that is what I called him) and he called me Margaret (I go by Peggy). He was always one of my favorite people to work with, firm but fair. He was a wonderful person with a huge presences. I know he will be missed and I am so sorry for your loss. 

My sincere condolences!
Peggy

I worked with Steve from 1992-1997 as part of a 43-year KPMG career.  I joined the San Jose Office as a young partner and over the years I think that Steve was my best boss.  Steve used to drop into my office late at night to check in to see how things were going and always asked if there was anything he could do to help.  He had great knowledge of our market, the respect of our clients, and was very supportive of our people.  I know he had positive impact on the careers of countless professionals and he will be missed.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Glen Davison

OBITUARY

Stephen Craig Riggins

September 8, 1944 – May 4, 2021

Butterworth Funeral Home - Arthur A Wright Chapel & Queen Anne Columbarium

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