Support for the Schaffer Family's Loss

Riggin Cole Schaffer was born to Stephanie and Bram Schaffer on June 12, 2006. From the beginning, Riggin lived life his own way and that never changed. While he grew and learned to navigate the world, he was true to himself, lived by his own code, and never pretended to be something he wasn’t. Fiercely loyal to the people he loved, he was one of the kindest and most generous of friends. He would do anything for anyone at any time (except if that thing was the dishes). He lived with true integrity and was willing to endure any hardship to preserve it.

On March 23rd, Riggin was assisting the injured driver of a single-car accident. Another driver crashed into the scene, taking Riggin from his family.

Riggin was raised in Broadus, MT. As a boy, he loved dinosaurs, dragons, and pirates. His love of dinosaurs led him to want to be a paleontologist until he learned how many years of school that would take. His creativity and energy made sitting in a classroom challenging, and he attended high school only so he could wrestle. Riggin loved to wrestle, was proud that he was not pinned once his last 2 years, and placed 5th at the Montana State Tournament his Senior Year. His mom was his biggest fan, and one of his favorite practice partners. They spent countless hours perfecting new techniques in the living room. She never missed a match. Riggin also loved branding season. His dad and grandfather helped him to break his colt, learn to rope, and be a reliable member of the team. Riggin was looking forward to finally roping off his 5-year-old horse, Bandit, this year in the branding pen. Riggin loved listening to “old” music, researching his random interests, playing XBOX, and talking about cars. He learned to love golfing with his mom and dad, right after they had given up forcing him to come along. After high school, Riggin moved to Laramie, WY to attend WyoTech, where he was learning automobile collision repair, painting, and upholstery. He finally found a place of learning where he wanted to be, and was one of the top students in his class. He planned to eventually open his own restoration shop where he wanted to bring old muscle cars back to life. His cars were his pride and joy. He bought a ‘75 Z28, with his own savings, to be his project car at school and he couldn’t wait to start fixing it up. With his dad’s help, he’d restored a ‘68 Malibu. He loved his 71 Ford F100. His true love was Dodge, and he recently purchased a Challenger as his daily driver. While living in Laramie, Riggin discovered snowboarding. He went solo his first time out, loved it, and spent every weekend on the slopes after that. He was there so much that Snowy Range offered him a job running the lifts. He found true friends at WyoTech, and he enjoyed living where there was “something to do”. Riggin was truly coming into his own.

While his life was tragically short, it was lived to the fullest. His loved ones will miss his laugh, getting to hear his random thoughts, and watching him find his way in the world (always entertaining). They are grateful for every moment spent with him.

Riggin is survived by his mom and dad, Stephanie and Bram Schaffer; his sister, Madeline York (Thomas Heikes); his Nana (Phyllis Smith) and Papa (Mike Smith), Grandparents, Dennis Schaffer, and Cheryl & Terry Fields, He was loved by his aunts, uncles, and cousins, both blood-related and chosen and held Auntie Shannon and Uncle Dustin very close to his heart. He is preceded in death by his best friend, Cale Emmons.

Riggin believed that respect was something that came from the heart, not from anything external. His family asks that any visitors show their respect by dressing casually. Please, come as you are.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 4:00-7:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Friday, April 4, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at the Rolling Hills Golf Course in Broadus. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.

In lieu of flowers, an account has been setup at the Yellowstone Bank of Broadus c/o Riggin Schaffer Benefit Account, PO Box 347, Broadus, MT 59317.