Obituary of Richard Raine Pettigrew

Richard Raine Pettigrew, more commonly known as Dick Pettigrew, passed away on March 21, 2024. He was born on November 24,1927 to Richard LeFlore Pettigrew and Era Mae Armstrong, in Gulfport, Mississippi. Dick grew up as an only child during the Great Depression of the 1930's in Nashville, TN. His favorite pastime as a child was playing Chinese checkers with his Grandmother Pettigrew and favorite memories were riding tricycles, scooters and bikes. During the summers when he was not working delivering newspapers, cutting grass, or making deliveries for the local drug store and American Bread Company, Dick often took ride-alongs with his uncle Robert Allen Armstrong (deceased) to highway construction projects. Construction piqued his interest, and it was at that time he "knew he wanted to be a civil engineer". Dick attended East Nashville Junior High and High School where he played football during the school year and softball in the summers. His extracurricular activities were limited during his school years due to World War II. While in high school, Dick joined Junior ROTC and the Tennessee State Guard in preparation for military service. Dick reached the rank of Eagle Cadet Major and was awarded the ROTC Reed Medal of Honor as the outstanding Junior ROTC Cadet in the Nashville School District. Dick graduated from East Nashville High School midterm December 1945 and was immediately admitted into Vanderbilt School of Engineering, Civil Engineering. He received his draft notice to report for duty on April 18,1946 and was allowed an extension to complete the current semester of surveying and civil engineering classes. He was inducted into the Army of the United States September 26, 1946 beginning with basic training at Ft. Belvoir, Va. Dick began his service in the war as Private First Class April 5, 1947 Chonju City, Korea. After serving 18 months, he was Honorably Discharged March 22, 1948, as a Sergeant Regular Army. Dick was awarded the WWII Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal-Japan. Dick completed his Bachelor of Engineering Civil Engineering under the WWII GI Bill in 1951 and began his career with Atlantic Refining Company as a surveyor trainee in geophysical exploration, progressing to Survey Party Chief. In his career he worked as a construction engineer for Inter-State Construction, highway engineer for California Division of Highways (CALTRANS), project engineer for New Mexico State Highway Department (NMDOT), and County Engineer for Lea County. In 1965 he bought the firm of Howard A. Schmieding & Associates and established Pettigrew & Associates. Throughout his career he often stated my engineering degree was a license to learn~" He is survived by his children Patricia Pettigrew (Steve Tierney) Mundy, Janet Sanchez (Bruce) Wilcoxson, Debra Pettigrew (Tres) Hicks, Randall Thomas (Shannon) Pettigrew, Richard (Amy) Pettigrew, his grandchildren, Adam Mundy, Joshua (Chelsea) Hicks, Brittany Pettigrew, Raine Pettigrew, Mikaela Hicks (Fiancé Kyle Walker) Alie Pettigrew, Dustin Zach and Alex Pettigrew, and his great grandchild Ellie Pettigrew, Also Sister-in-law Betty (Leon) Hemann and their families, Karyn Armstrong (Arden) James and many cousins from the Armstrong, Crabtree, and Moore families across the state of Tennessee. There will be a Celebration of Life Saturday March 30, 11:00 am at Hilton Garden Inn 4620 Lovington Highway, Hobbs, NM 88240.