Rigert, Joseph Star Tribune Investigative Reporter and past IRE President Joseph (Joe) Rigert, 91, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, loving husband of Janice C. (Larson) Rigert passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 26, 2022. Born to Joseph A. Rigert and Anne (Spiering) Rigert in Beaverton Oregon, the oldest surviving child of 13 Rigert children, he and his siblings worked hard to help make the family farm a success. He attended the University of Oregon and Georgetown University for undergraduate and graduate degrees in journalism and American Government, respectively. He served in the US Navy during the Korean war as a photojournalist, which sparked two of his life-long passions - news reporting and travel. He worked as a Congressional aide in Washington DC, and a reporter for the Oregon Journal and the Associated Press. He and Jan started a family in Washington, DC, which grew quickly after adoption of five children in the Northwest. They moved the family to Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1965, where they adopted more children, growing the family to eight children. To facilitate similar adoptions for other families Joe and Jan became active in the Open Door Society, an organization devoted to finding homes for multi-racial children. Joe wrote a book about the family, "All Together", that always enjoyed a prominent spot on the coffee table in the family home. Joe and Jan returned frequently to Oregon for family reunions and beach time, which he loved. On two occasions, they packed up the family for international adventures, traveling in Europe and Africa with children ranging from infants to teenagers. One of these trips culminated in a second book chronicling their adventures across the European Continent - "Europe on Eight Kids a Day". They also spent many happy hours by the ocean on both coasts, in both Oregon and Florida. Joe became a reporter for the Minneapolis Star and Tribune in 1965, and later served as Editorial Writer, City Editor, and Investigative Reporter - a position he held for 20 years, doggedly researching and writing in-depth pieces on institutional misconduct. Joe was passionate about every one of his special projects that uncovered cases of injustice. One such piece earned him a Freedom of the Press Award from the National Press Club. He also was awarded the Premack Public Affairs Journalism Award in 1977 and again in 2001. Many people in the Twin Cities area and nationwide, whether they know it or not, could call Joe their advocate and hero. He was a board member and served as president of the international organization of Investigative Reporters & Editors. After retiring from a 40-year journalism career, Joe continued his pursuit of righting wrongs, going on to publish two books on vulnerable, unprotected and disenfranchised populations. Joe is survived by his wife Jan, siblings Tom, Jim, David, Donna, Susie, Marietta, Vincent, and Bob; his children Linda (Steve), Marie (Scott), Douglas, Rebecca (David), David (Miluska), Dominic (Chris), and Anne (Troy); eleven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents and sisters Jane, Pat, Marta, and Rita and daughter Rachel. Having come from a large family of thirteen siblings, and raising eight children of his own, family was precious to Joe. He always encouraged his kids and grandkids to bravely pursue their interests and often "interviewed" them (as only a reporter could) about their lives to confirm that they were achieving the best possible versions of themselves. His family nickname was "Grumpy Joe", but his undying devotion, and support to every family member always shined through clearly, and always with love and good humor. A memorial service to honor Joe will be held at a time and place to be announced. For anyone wishing to contribute in Joe's memory, the family asks that donations be sent to Minneapolis Crisis Nursery (crisisnursery.org/).