Robert H. Sigholtz Dies at 84; Stadium Manager, GU Official

In 1969, Dr. Sigholtz's only son, Army Capt. Robert H. Sigholtz Jr., was killed in Vietnam while serving in the same unit his father had commanded.

For his own service, Dr. Sigholtz was awarded three Silver Stars, two Legions of Merit, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, four Bronze Stars and 13 Air Medals.

He received a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland in 1962; a master's degree from American University in 1966; and a doctorate in education from George Washington University in 1971.

He was president of the Touchdown Club in Washington and was chosen by the State Department in 1980 to advise the Kenyan government on staging an international boxing competition. From the 1950s to the 1970s, he refereed high school and college football and basketball games.

After leaving Washington, Dr. Sigholtz managed car dealerships in Santa Monica, Calif., and was a consultant on stadium issues to the National Football League and professional sports teams. He moved to Arizona in 1994.

At the time of his death, he served on an advisory commission to the Arizona Department of Veterans Services and on the advisory board of Childhelp USA, a national organization to benefit abused children founded by his second wife.

His first marriage, to Roberta Wynne Sigholtz, ended in divorce.

After the death of his daughter, Catherine McMaster, in 1980, Dr. Sigholtz adopted her daughters, Taryn Gosch of Phoenix and Whitney Knoerlein of Baltimore.

Other survivors include his wife of 20 years, Sara O'Meara Sigholtz of Paradise Valley; a stepson, John Hopkins of Scottsdale; and four grandchildren.