DATE: Sunday, November 2, 1997              TAG: 9710310227

SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON   PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: CLOSE-UP 

                                            LENGTH:   67 lines

SCOTT RIGELL: FATHER OF FOUR, BUSINESSMAN, VOLUNTEER

It's a good thing that Scott Rigell has reliable transportation - he needs it. Rigell owns Freedom Ford in Norfolk and just last year bought a Hampton dealership. Scooting between stores keeps his odometer in perpetual motion, much like Rigell himself.

He's active at Spring Branch Community Church at the Beach.

As a father of four school-age children, he stays on the go at home as well.

And what about those television commercials, that brag about him giving out his home telephone number to customers? It's true.

Somehow he and his wife, Teri, manage to find to find time to answer the phone, too.

Full name: Edward Scott Rigell.

Hometown: Titusville, Fla.

What brought you to the Beach? We moved here in 1986 so I could earn my MBA from Regent University. We love the city and it's become our home.

Birthdate: May 28, 1960.

Occupation: Owner/president - Freedom Ford and Freedom Ford Hampton.

Marital status: Happily married for 16 years.

Children: Lindsey, 14; Mallory, 11; Justus, 8; and Shannon, 6.

What is your idea of a perfect day off? Being on the bay with my family when it's bright, sunny, glassy and my cellular phone is broken.

Last smart thing you did: Decided to work hard at being a good husband.

Last dumb thing you did: Forgot to work hard at being a good husband.

Favorite meal: Any meal with homemade biscuits and a big glass of sweet iced tea.

Favorite movies: ``Christmas Vacation,'' ``To Kill a Mockingbird,'' Any Mad Max with Mel Gibson.

Favorite song: ``Freedbird'' by Lynard Skynard.

Last book read: ``The Living Words'' by Abraham Lincoln.

Hobbies: Boating (pulling the kids on a kneeboard or tube), riding dirt bikes in Smithfield with Justus and Lindsey and reading.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I don't recall, but I think it had something to do with my memory.

If you could change one thing about your spouse, what would it be? She's perfect, of course, but I would like for her to fit me in her lunch schedule once a week.

Secret vice: An occasional cigar.

Favorite restaurant: Five 01 City Grill or Lucky Star. They're both excellent.

Your favorite night on the town: Dinner with good friends at their home, sitting on the deck laughing and talking about nothing significant.

Favorite TV shows: CNN ``Headline News,'' any World War II documentary and ``Cops.''

Favorite sport: Snow Skiing

Last vacation: Ski trip to Breckenridge, Colo.

Pets: Jeb, a Lab/retriever mix; and Jack, a Sheltie. We have a cat too, but I don't claim it.

Worst job: Dishwasher at Ramada Inn when I was 15.

Of what achievements are you most proud? Teri still loves me, our kids still like to be with us and I get to work with a terrific group of people at the dealerships.

What would you like as your epitaph? That question is much too serious, but how's this:

He loved his God, he loved his wife,

He loved his children, he loved his country. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DAVID B. HOLLINGSWORTH

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