Photo courtesy of Oakland University

Associate Professor of Philosophy Dr. Mark Rigstad passed away on Jan. 17, 2024, at the age of 58. 

Rigstad received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah, graduating in 1989. He went on to get his master’s in 1995 and doctorate in 2001 at Johns Hopkins University. 

Rigstad had taught at Dowling College, California State University, Los Angeles and the California Institute of Technology before coming to Oakland University in 2002. 

At OU, Rigstad served as a department chair for nine years and was known for his leadership in his department. Over time, he was successful in creating new programs and branching different courses to facilitate the growth of knowledge. 

Erika Luft, a junior at OU, only had Rigstad as a professor this semester. She was also on the Ethics Bowl team for the past four years when Rigstad was coaching.

“One of the first things that I said about Dr. Rigstad after his passing was that he was a reservoir of knowledge,” Luft said.

Not only did Rigstad make a huge impact on his students for so many years, but he also influenced many different faculty members over the years. 

Rigstad’s genuineness and intelligence are what people noticed most about him. He also wanted everyone around him to be heard and important. 

Mark Navin, professor and chair of philosophy at OU, worked by Rigstad’s side for 15 years. 

“Professor Rigstad was my colleague, mentor and friend,” Navin said. 

“He was very bright and well-spoken,” Navin added. “He had fantastic political intuitions and knew how to get things done.” 

Rigstad had a passion for philosophy.

 “He loved philosophy — not just as a content area, but as a way of life,” Navin said.  “His teaching aimed always at helping students learn to make their own minds about the most important questions we all face.”

“His chosen career as a professor of philosophy implies that already, but he truly knew something about everything,” Luft said.

Rigstad’s teachings consisted of topics such as the philosophy of law, political philosophy and philosophy on war and peace. He was also a scholar of historical and contemporary political thought.  

During Rigstad’s time as a scholar, he had been best known for his research into the ethical dimensions of contemporary political questions. Some questions included topics such as human rights and war. 

“Professor Rigstad was a great conversationalist, especially when the topic was philosophy,” Navin said. “Best memories of him are of conversations we had, either one-on-one or with the full department.” 

Outside of his teaching and scholarly work, Rigstad was also an Ethics Bowl coach. He continued to spread his knowledge and helped lead his teams to many regional wins and even went on to compete for national championships. 

He had an impact on many outside of his students and fellow faculty members. His friends and family said that he was very compassionate about the people most important in his life like his wife, children and parents. 

“I will miss him terribly,” Navin said. 

“Dr. Rigstad’s silliness generated some of my favorite memories of him,” Luft continued, “When Ethics Bowl met from home via Zoom [during] my first year on the team, Dr. Rigstad would channel different characters in asking questions. He even brought out a wig one time. Why he had it, I don’t know, to pretend to be Lady Gaga asking us a question.”

“It was an honor to have known him for the past four years, and I’m sad knowing there’s still so much I cannot learn from him now,” Luft added.

The Celebration of Life service will be held on Sat. Feb 17 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. It will be held at the Aretha’s Jazz Café at the Music Hall Center for Performing Arts in Detroit Michigan.  Oakland’s Counseling Center has resources to help with grief and loss.