Rigels

Rigels Refrigeration Service Inc. was founded in November of 1945 by Frank Grossman and Tom Gotschall. The business was primarily a refrigeration service business for bars, restaurants, and grocery stores. In 1947 Nick Matthees bought Rigels Refrigeration Service Inc. After the end of World War II manufacturers began to produce electrical household appliances and refrigerators and freezers became very popular. Rigels quickly began to service and sell these new popular household appliances, namely refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers, and dryers. Nick Matthees managed Rigels until his sudden death in 1966. After Nick's death his wife Kathryn Matthees took over as manager. Two of her sons, Charles and Robert Matthees, joined her full time in the 1970's and continue to work there today. In 2003 Kathryn retired from Rigels at the age of 87. Now Chuck Matthees, Bob Matthees, and Kathryn's daughter Marj Matthees have taken the reigns as the second generation of Matthees to operate Rigels, Inc.