Armond Rex Bigler
Dec. 20, 1929-Sept. 7, 2023
Los Altos, California
Submitted by John Bigler

Rex, as he was affectionately known to all who met him, was born in 1929 in eastern Idaho to Grace Thomas and Armond John “Dick” Bigler. He started school in the same grade as Patsy, his older sister by one year, so they considered each other to be their twin. The family grew, and they were joined by brother Craig and sister Jacci. Rex attended Idaho State College at Pocatello, moving the following year to the University of Utah for his bachelor’s and medical degrees.

While working at the University of Utah Hospital, he met his future wife, Karen Senior, when she came in with a broken leg from a skiing accident. After Karen and Rex were married in 1954, they moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where Rex was a resident intern at the Veterans Administration Hospital. It was in Minnesota, where they welcomed their first son, Michael.

In 1956, Rex became an active Reserve Officer in the Navy (Lieutenant, Medical Corps) and was stationed in Chincoteague, Virginia for two years, where their second son, John, was born. While in the Navy, Rex was offered a Research Fellowship at the UCSF Medical School. So, it was off to San Francisco for the young Bigler family. In 1961, Rex moved to Los Altos, and established his medical practice near El Camino Hospital in Mountain View. A year later, their third son, Robert, joined the family.

In 1969, Rex, his parents, his siblings, and his family began building the first of four cabins on Henry’s Lake in a corner of Idaho near Yellowstone National Park. Over the years, these cabins were a source of joy for the family as they served as a place for summer gatherings, where everyone had fun fishing, boating, hiking, 4-wheeling, and generally enjoying each other and the beautiful surroundings of the region. To this day, these cabins are enjoyed by family and friends.

Later in life, Rex met Mary Frances Mariani, whom he would marry and enjoy as his soulmate and companion. Mary Frances brought with her a second family with whom he was able to play and guide for many years to come.

Rex was an avid golfer even up to his 93rd birthday. He golfed 3 times per week at the Los Altos Golf & Country Club. His other passion was the bridge club, mostly for the comradery and social interactions with like-minded friends. Equally close to his heart were the annual hikes in Moab with his siblings and their families and friends.

Rex is survived by his brother Craig (Susan) and sister Jacci, as well as his three sons, Mike (Diane), John (Deborah), and Robert (Punita), and their children and grandchildren. He is also survived by 5 of his Mariani stepchildren, Linda, David (Arlene), Mark (Melody), Rick (Jeanne), and Lisa (John) and their children and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Karen, his second wife, Mary Frances, his sister, Patsy, and his stepsons, Paul and John Mariani.

Tags: veteran