Former Nevada Power president dies at 47

Thursday, Dec. 27, 2001 | 11:04 a.m.

Steve Rigazio, who retired as president of Nevada Power Co. in June and then focused on the fight against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, died at home this morning of the disease, Nevada Power said.

He was 47.

Rigazio, an executive with Nevada Power since 1984, was diagnosed with ALS, a degenerative disorder that attacks motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, in August 1999. The disease has been associated with former New York Yankee baseball player Lou Gehrig, who was diagnosed with it 60 years ago.

"He waited 'till all his family was there," said Andrea Smith, a Nevada Power spokeswoman.

Rigazio is survived by his wife Annette, his daughter Bethanie, 18, and his son David, 14.

"He came to work each day with a relentless enthusiasm for this company and this community even as his health weakened. He continued to show impressive energy and courage to live life to the fullest. He will be deeply missed by all of us," Nevada Power said in a statement.

Rigazio established a foundation called Nevadans for Prevention of ALS and had helped raise money for the ALS Association Nevada Chapter and for ALS patients in Nevada. None of the foundation's money went to Rigazio's care.

He had served the boards of directors of New Horizons Academy, the Salvation Army and the Sunrise Children's Hospital Foundation. He was also on the board of advisors for the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and also was president of the Board of Friends for the PBS television station in Las Vegas, KLVX Channel 10 and had served on Bishop Gorman High School's board of regents.