Duane Rigsby
Submitted by: Jacki Weikert
He was the founder of NETC as we know it today and wore so many hats in NETC, in his work at OSU and at home.
He was an active member of the NETC board and steering committee before & after we were organized. He helped with anything that he was asked to do and helped behind the scenes and took very little credit for what he did. He was never afraid to volunteer his time and his talents to get the job done.
President, founder, strategic planning host (multiple years), I’m not sure anybody could beat what Duane contributed to NETC.
Submitted by: Brian Watson
I do not know how many conferences Duane attended nor could I count the many conference session he presented, but I do know that he was ever-present and was one of the greatest cheerleaders NETC ever had. Duane became the “father” of NETC, in a sense, as he lead the difficult transition from an annual conference into a professional organization. Quite simply, NETC would not exist today had it not been for Duane Rigsby and his passion for the community he served and actively engaged.
Submitted by: Brian Webster
Duane Rigsby was a long time member of NETC, and the steering committee/board, and was always involved in conferences, both as a presenter and as a person that would help out behind the scenes to make the conferences better. He as a big promoter of the monthly gatherings, and these were his vision of something NETC could do for it’s members beyond the conferences.
He was instrumental in transitioning it NETC from on information group/conference into a formal organization. He’s the person who was able to bring in an expert that could help us with the requirements and paperwork to make this transition a reality.
Here are a few of the many things I remember about Duane:
- “I have a buddy …”! Usually this was followed with this “buddy” can help us with x, and oh, by the way, the buddy owes me because of a favor I’ve done for them.
- Duane had such a wide range of skills/knowledge. From computer support, to video conferencing, to web develop, to etc. And it wasn’t just in technology, it was also mechanical, h-vac systems, plumbing, electrical, etc. He was truly a multi-talented guy
- He was also a family man. I remember at the 2015 conference in Montana, he pulled me aside and told me that as vice president, I’d have to step in for him as President for a day because it was his daughter’s first time showing goats (or maybe sheep) at the county fair back in OHIO, so he was leaving that night to catch multiple flights that would get him back to Ohio the next morning to help with the show, then he’d be back on flights back to Montana to finish out the rest of the conference. He needed to be back in Ohio for that day, not that they needed him, but he needed them. What dedication to both his family, and also to NETC
- Seeing him, and spending some time with him was always one of my the highlights for conferences for me. It’s amazing to me, how close of friends we could be even though we only saw each other at conferences and board meetings. I sure miss him.
For these reasons, and many more, it’s my honor to nominate Duane Rigsby for the NETC Hall of Fame!
Submitted by: Robin Ertz
I joined the NETC in 1997, the first conference at which I met Duane Rigsby. Duane was always one to help where needed, bounce ideas off of, and just to visit with in general. Over the years I have always looked forward to folks from The Ohio State University – Duane included – presenting on various topics every year. To my knowledge, Duane was a regular at conferences and presenting. While I don’t know exact numbers, I would be surprised if Duane missed a conference and/or an opportunity to present in 20+ years.
I know he was an integral part of planning and execution when The Ohio State University hosted the joint ACE/NETC conference in 1997.
Duane served on the original NETC steering committee from 2010 to 2013 in an at-large position. I believe Duane was a major player in the process to officially organize NETC into a 501c3; no small task. He helped write the by-laws and determine what NETC (the acronym) would stand for long term. Duane served as Board President for 4 years (2013-2017) During which time he helped shape and form NETC into what it is today.
While this isn’t on the evaluation criteria, Duane was the personification of what we envision NETC to be: professional, personable, fun, smart, problem-solving, innovative, and a friend who would do anything for anyone. If the NETC wants to recognize those who have helped our community become what it is today, we would be remiss if we did not honor Duane in this way.
Submitted by: Jennifer Sykes
I am on a work deadline and this won’t be as good as it should be — I’m praying that everyone is submitting Duane’s name for this list. I’m probably also going to start crying as I type, so pardon the typos. Duane, as far as I’m concerned, *is* NETC — he embodied everything I thought of when I think of Extension technology. He was so integral in the formation of NETC as a separate entity from ACE (along with others — I’m just happy to say that I was in room). Duane’s quiet leadership and integrity shaped our young organization’s culture — he should have continued to be an important part of this community. It was Duane that encouraged me to become more involved, and it was only because of Duane that I had the gall to think I could be NETC Board President. 🙂 As for the criteria:
1. Duane’s length of membership is as long as NETC.
2. Duane presented at every NETC conference I attended and several Gatherings, often about things with which I was not familiar. The little robots they made in 4H? Stuff like that.
3. Duane’s outstanding contributions to NETC were numerous, but he was our first leader and the driving force behind the creation of NETC as a non-profit organization. I’m proud to have been there in Montana that year that we put on names on paper as founding members.
4. I think Ohio State hosted a NETC during the NETC/ACE days, pre-me (2007). But he served on the board for years. He was our institutional memory. He was my friend. I still have trouble imagining NETC without Duane, even as he dropped back from being active in the last few years. I kept waiting for him to return. We are poorer for having lost him.
Submitted by: Rich Emnett
It gives me great joy to nominate Duane Rigsby from The Ohio State University to the first class of NETC Hall of Fame honorees. Duane was an active participant of NETC and an integral part of the formation of the National Extension Technology Community. He attended his first conference, NETC 2002: Innovation Through Cooperation at Penn State. He fell in love with the people, ideas and mission of the National Extension Technology Conference. Until his passing in April 2022, Duane was a fixture at every NETC for two decades.
Some examples of the sessions he presented/co-presented:
- The BitBuckIT Podcast: Keeping staff up-to-date with technology
- Podcasting Level II: How to sound like a pro, even though you’re not
- DIY Wiimote smartboard: Smartboard on a budget
- TSIS: the Transportable Satellite Internet System
- Grand Central/Google Voice
- There are others, but memory does not recall.
Duane served as National Extension Technology Conference Steering Committee chair in 2014 and years prior.
As a Founding Member, Duane was influential in the formation of the National Extension Technology Community. Serving as the first NETC president from 2013 to 2017. Duane was the embodiment of the NETC organization. He would be a most deserving member of the National Extension Technology Community Hall of Fame.
Submitted by: Greg Parmer
There are no sufficient words to put here. Anyone who doesn’t know how this nominee meets the criteria has already missed out.
We miss you, your smile, your wisdom, your help, your friendship, and your many contributions to what we now call NETC. Thank you for the memories, Duane.
Submitted by: Steve Lichtensteiger
Duane was past officer of the current NETC organization and its predecessor the NETC Steering committee. Duane was a driving force behind creating the current organization as an IRS 501 (c) (3) entity. Duane was an avid NETC recruiter and champion of NETC and the Land Grant mission.