Obituary of Robert Reed Higgins

Bob 86 passed away at home January 11, 2011 with his wife Peggy and daughter Connie at his bedside. He was born in Tacoma November 3, 1924, attended Stadium High School and enlisted in the Army Air Corp in April 1943. He served in the 303rd bomber division as S-2 in Molesworth England , they were known as the hells angles. After the war he attended University of Washington and College of Puget Sound (UPS) where he played violin in the symphony that has now become the Tacoma Symphony. Besides his passion for music he loved to play golf in his younger years but after having a family mostly just watched tournaments on TV. He also liked playing the piano and going to the library. Mostly he liked staying home with his family. He assisted with little league baseball and the Boy Scouts with his sons. Bob worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad as chief bill and voucher clerk until they merged with Great Northern then he went to work as a cemetery and insurance salesman. Bob met his future wife Peggy O’Neil in 1951 and they enjoyed 59 years of marriage. He leaves his wife Peggy, Son Ted (Seattle) daughter Connie (Mat) Reitzug ( Tacoma ) and son Dan (Kekaha, HI), Grandchildren Holly Rydel, Randy (Amy) Rydel and Emily Hudyma and three great grand children Ryan and Elsa Walstead and Jackson Rydel. He was predeceased by his parents Emory L Higgins, Myrtle Higgins Ritchie and stepdad David O. Ritchie and sister Margurite Boudreau. The family would like to thank Dr. Loomis for years of taking care of Bob and Zigrida Smidrovska, the staff at Franciscan Hospice and all the caring professionals that helped our family through his final illness. Bob will be inurned at Tahoma National Cemetery . The family would like remembrances be made to Franciscan Hospice or Tacoma Public Library