Westminster fraternity alumnus makes life-saving donation

Tom Rigdon, standing, donated his kidney to Rod Mohler on March 9, 2015.
Tom Rigdon, standing, donated his kidney to Rod Mohler on March 9, 2015.

Westminster College has been the source of countless stories where students and alumni have performed selfless acts of service to make a difference in the lives of other people. But perhaps the most remarkable of all stories is the sacrifice Tom Rigdon, class of 1970, made to save the life of his fraternity brother Rod Mohler, class of 1971.

The two men grew up only a few miles apart in Oklahoma, with Rigdon, 68, from Newkirk and Mohler, 67, from Ponca City. Rigdon and Mohler both enrolled at Westminster and become Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity brothers. Over the years they became close friends, getting together on occasion while life continued in their respective small towns. Rigdon became an attorney, and Mohler operated his own construction business.

Everything was going well for the two men until Mohler was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease. His physician told him if he had to have kidney disease, this was the most slow-growing and would give him time to try to deal with the illness. After several years, Mohler finally began dialysis on his birthday, May 13, 2013. Since he had known for three years his kidneys were failing, Mohler had already placed himself on a donor list.

He spent the next two years on dialysis with no possible donors in the picture. His sister was rejected because of her small size and some kidney problems of her own. An attorney friend from Ponca City came forward to volunteer but was rejected because of his high blood pressure.

Rigdon checked on Mohler regularly to see how he was doing. In early 2015, the two men and Tom's wife, Mary, a William Woods graduate who had known Mohler for years, attended a wedding reception together and had an opportunity to visit in depth. Two days later, Rigdon called Mohler and said he was willing to donate a kidney if the organ was found to be a match.

The tests were conducted, and Rigdon's kidney was a match. On March 9, 2015, the surgery took place and was a success.

Today, both men are doing well. Mohler has returned to construction work remodeling houses, and Rigdon walks to his busy law office every morning.

"Tom Rigdon went above and beyond what any friend could ever be expected to do," Mohler said. "Words can never express how grateful I am that he has given me my life back."