Belmont, NY - “Rick” Merritt D. Wigent, 68, of North Street, passed away on Monday, November 1, 2021 at Highland Park Center in Wellsville, after a long illness. He was born in Wellsville on March 24, 1953 the son of the late Lawrence Eugene and Patricia (Williams) Wigent. On October 10, 1987 in Belmont he married his wife of thirty-four years, Kristen Vossler - who survives.
Rick was a lifelong resident of Belmont, he was a 1971 graduate from Belmont Central High School. He was remembered as a stand-out baseball player for Belmont, a“Rick” Merritt D. Wigent, 68nd was invited to try out for the Orioles and the Red Sox. In 1973 he enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina in the 82nd Airborne. He achieved the rank of sergeant before being honorably discharged in 1977. After his military career he worked for Current Controls in Wellsville, from where he retired in 2018. Outside of work he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and arrowhead collecting. He was a bassist for many bands such as: Reunion from 1980-1990, B.A.N.D.I.T.S (Bands against Nuclear Dumps in This State) from 1989-1991, and the Allegany Blues Co. in the mid-nineties. He also loved to cook, especially using recipes that include venison and leeks.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by: three children, Jarrod (Krista Humbert) Wigent of Olean, Kayleigh (Nikolai Sansone) Wigent of Belmont and Gabriel (Shyenne Grooms) Wigent of Friendship; thirteen grandchildren, Jarrod Wigent Jr., Abigail Wigent, Thayne Barnes, Iliad Barnes, Elowen Barnes, Hendrix Wigent, Phoenix Humbert, Griffin Humbert, Quinton Humbert, Justin Barnes, Aria Barnes, Dorian Barnes, and Gideon Barnes; a sister, Sandra Wigent of Scio; a brother, Mack (Lisa D’Antonio) Wigent of Alma; five nieces; and several grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and cousins.
A private celebration of life is being planned by the family. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com
OMG!! i' SOOOOOOOOOOOOO sorry to hear that Rick has passed. i served with him in the 82nd. we were in the same squad together. we would drive around the backroads of NC, driving around in his blue, chevy "boat" -don't remember the make, but it was BIG and blue!! (i believe we drove up to his home in it after we got out. ) we'd be drinking PBR before PBR was "cool." i remember that the 1st thing he'd do in the morning before PT--before his feet hit the floor--he'd "fire-up" an "Old Gold" cigarette!!
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