Family Reveal Dad’s Determination To Walk Daughter Down The Aisle Prior To His Death

The family of a former Leeds sheet metal worker are appealing to his old workmates for help in establishing how he came into contact with the asbestos that claimed his life.

Robert Riggs, who went by Bob, from Leeds, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in June 2024. Despite his failing health he managed to walk his daughter Tracy down the aisle.

Tragically just weeks later he died from the disease which is a terminal cancer of the lining of the lung associated with exposure to asbestos, often decades previously.

Daughter asks specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers to investigate

Following the 75-year old’s death, his daughter, Tracy, instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how Bob developed the illness and if it was linked to his work history.

Tracy has now joined with her legal team to appeal to Bob’s former workmates to come forward with information they may have on his working life.

They’re keen to hear from anyone who worked alongside Bob at Joseph Nadin (Royton) Ltd, from 1966 to 1967 and Cape Insulation, from 1967 to 1968. Bob was employed by both firms on projects across the north of England.

Nicola Handley is the specialist asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell supporting Tracy.

Expert Opinion

“Bob’s family are understandably still in shock and struggling to come to terms with his death.

“Yet again what happened to Bob is typical of many cases we see where the consequences of asbestos only becomes known many years after the exposure has taken place.

“Prior to his death, Bob told his family that he believed he’d worked with asbestos on a number of occasions. However, he was too ill at the end to search for more answers regarding his exposure.

“Nothing can bring Bob back but we’re determined to help his family in their search for answers so they can at least have some closure.

“If any of Bob’s old colleagues could come forward with details of his working conditions, it would mean a lot to his family and could make all the difference in answering the questions they still have in relation to his death.” Nicola Handley

Mesothelioma: Bob’s story

In 1966, Bob went to work for Joseph Nadin (Royton) Limited. The firm was based in the North East. Bob worked for the firm for six months together with his dad, James.

Bob told his family his main duties involved covering pipes, believed to be lagged in asbestos, with metal sheeting.

While Bob was working, laggers would cut the pipes using a handsaw which would release clouds of dust into the air. Bob recalled that the laggers would be mixing powder in a bucket with water, with the resulting mixture then applied to the pipework.

In 1967, Bob went onto work for Cape Insulation. As with his previous role, Bob was sent to work for a number of firms as part of his role, including Dewsbury Saville Town Gas Works and Iron Bridge Power Station in South Wales, where he would again be working in close proximity to the laggers, who would be covering pipework.

A family man who loved cooking and exploring the local area

Away from work, Bob had lived for over four years in Australia as a younger man before returning to his hometown of Leeds. Bob had two children, Tracy Connell, 47 and Paul Riggs, 49 and four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Prior to his mesothelioma diagnosis, Bob was a very talkative and sociable man, who enjoyed cooking and going out and exploring the local area. Bob was very much a family man and loved spending time with his family, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bob had been in good health until he began to experience symptoms including a cough and breathlessness in April 2024. Following tests, he was diagnosed with mesothelioma in June. He died surrounded by his family on 7 September, 2024.

Tracy pays tribute to her dad, who was determined to walk her down the aisle

Tracy said: “Dad loved his family and strived to do the best for us all. It’s hard to accept that he’s gone and difficult to be positive about the future without him.

“Dad resisted having treatment for his mesothelioma until after I was married, which tells you everything about the kind of dad he was. He was determined to be fit enough to walk me down the aisle in August and he managed it. The wedding was so memorable and we’re just all grateful Dad was able to have his last wish.

“We’re a very close family and everyone pitched in where we could to provide Dad with support and care at the end. He wanted to look into his asbestos exposure further, but we ran out of time and as always, Dad’s focus was spending as much time with the family as he could.

“We can’t bring Dad back but we can finally do something for him and establish the truth he wanted so badly about his asbestos exposure. If anyone who remembers working with my dad could come forward and tell us their recollections, all of us would be so grateful.

“No one deserves to suffer in the way he did at the end, or have their life cut short by this awful disease. If anyone can help us, it would mean so much to all the family.”

Anyone with information that could help Bob’s family is asked to contact Abigail Williams at Irwin Mitchell on Tel: 07827230783 or email Abigail.Williams@IrwinMitchell.com

Find out more about our expertise in handling asbestos-related disease cases at the dedicated section on our website. Alternatively, to speak to an expert, contact us or call 0808 271 9815.

Workers’ Memorial Day is on 28 April and this year’s theme is Occupational health and safety: A fundamental right at work.