Byron K. Gigler
Inducted Saturday, October 8, 2005
Byron Gigler graduated from Moorhead High School in 1961. While in high school, he distinguished himself in track, setting several Minnesota State High School and Moorhead High School records for the hurdles and long jump. He also was co-captain of the basketball team his senior year and is fourth in Minnesota State High School basketball for single game rebound record with 31 rebounds. Gigler graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1966 where he is the current record holder of the third fastest time in the 120-yard high hurdle event.
In October 1966, Gigler was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. Gigler served in the United States Marine Corps from 1966-70 including a tour in South Vietnam where he flew combat missions in support of U.S. Marine Corps ground forces.
From 1971-1999, Gigler worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, first as a special agent and later as a supervisory special agent. He first worked with the Fugitive Squad to locate and apprehend federal fugitives. He later was assigned to the Foreign Counter Intelligence Squad first in Dallas, Texas, and then in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The squad investigated the threat and activities of known and suspected intelligence officers from the Soviet Union, People’s Republic of China and Eastern Bloc countries. In 1992, he moved to the White Collar Crime Squad which investigated financial institution fraud, mail fraud, computer fraud and other economic crime matters. From 1996-99, Gigler was a supervisory special agent of the White Collar Crime Squad. During that time he developed and formed the Computer Analysis Response Team (CART) for the Minneapolis FBI Division. CART was utilized in examining seized computers for forensic evidence.
Since retiring from the FBI in June 1999, Gigler has devoted his life to his family and to volunteering with various ministries. In 2003 he became the India Program Director of World Encounter. He identifies, recruits and trains people who wish to participate in short-term ministry outreach to northern India, and he assists in leading outreach teams to India. Gigler also is active in North Heights Lutheran Church in Arden Hills, Minnesota.
Byron is married to Cynthia Gigler. They have four children, Heidi, Elizabeth, Natalie and Aaron. He lives in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.