Robert
Robert Higgs
Robert C. Higgs, 91, of Plainwell died peacefully Wednesday night, March 5, 2014 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo.
Bob was born November 5, 1922, in Benton Harbor, the son of Edward W. “Ted” and Leona M. (Maynard) Higgs. He graduated from Plainwell High School in 1941 and married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Mary Walker, on May 9, 1943 in Plainwell. He served his country during World War Two as a radio technician in the Army Air Corps. Following the war he took up his father’s trade as a photoengraver, and together, along with Ruth, they founded Ace Engravers in Plainwell in the early 1950’s. Bob and Ruth later sold the business, and their home, and moved to Pine Lake. In 1991, they moved to Florida, where they both discovered golf for the first time. Bob returned to Michigan following Ruth’s death and was fortunate enough to find love again, and in 2007 married Patricia (Thomas) Lesterhouse. He has made his home for the past two years with his son, Jim, and his wife, Suzanne.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Sgt. William E. Higgs, who was killed in the war in 1943; his wife, Ruth, in 2003, and his second wife, Patricia (Thomas) Higgs in 2013.
He is survived by his son, James R. “Jim” Higgs (Suzanne,) three grandchildren: Robert E. Higgs (Lynn,) Dianna Stampfler, and Katelyn Kenitz; five great-grandchildren; his sister, Betty Orr, several nieces and nephews and a former daughter-in-law, Sue E. Higgs.
Cremation has taken place and a graveside service will be held Saturday, April 19, 2014 at 2:00 P.M. at Hillside Cemetery in Plainwell.
Contributions in memory of Bob may be made to
Wings of Hope Hospice
or Otsego V.F.W. Post #3030.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
Offer Condolence for the family of Robert Higgs
Condolence Messages
Patti Howell
March 7, 2014 at 7:55 pm
Jim and Suzanne
I am so sorry for your loss. It must be comforting to know that you where able to be with him so much in the past couple of years. I know there is nothing I can say that will make all of the pain and sadness go away, but I will pray for peace for both of you and your family during this very sad time. Love you.
Patti
Reply
Sherry and Ken Schumaker
March 8, 2014 at 12:02 pm
Jim, Bob, Dianna and the entire Higgs family, we are so sorry to hear of Bob’s passing and know that you are feeling pain and grief and we send our thoughts, sympathy, and prayers.
I have memories of spending time with him and he was always witty and funny and a pleasure to be around.I know you will miss him greatly, but take some comfort in the fact that he is not longer suffering and is reunited with ones he also loved.
Reply
Bernie and Barb Livingston
March 8, 2014 at 5:07 pm
Sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Bernie and Barb.
Reply
Dawn McCune Jones
March 9, 2014 at 7:56 pm
Dear Jim and Suzanne, My deepest sympathy to you and your family in the loss of your Dad. You were very blessed to have had him with you for so long and may your wonderful memories of your years together bring you great comfort at this sad time. Your friend, Dawn.
Reply
Jerry and Judy (Flegal) Shumaker
March 10, 2014 at 9:24 pm
We are so sorry for your loss. Please know that our thoughts and sympathy are with you. May your special memories help to guide you through your grief. Take care.
Reply
Rick Kelly
March 11, 2014 at 10:33 am
Sorry to hear about your dad. Jim and Rick Kelly
Reply
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Bob was born November 5, 1922, in Benton Harbor, the son of Edward W. “Ted” and Leona M. (Maynard) Higgs. He graduated from Plainwell High School in 1941 and married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Mary Walker, on May 9, 1943 in Plainwell. He served his country during World War Two as a radio technician in the Army Air Corps. Following the war he took up his father’s trade as a photoengraver, and together, along with Ruth, they founded Ace Engravers in Plainwell in the early 1950’s. Bob and Ruth later sold the business, and their home, and moved to Pine Lake. In 1991, they moved to Florida, where they both discovered golf for the first time. Bob returned to Michigan following Ruth’s death and was fortunate enough to find love again, and in 2007 married Patricia (Thomas) Lesterhouse. He has made his home for the past two years with his son, Jim, and his wife, Suzanne.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Sgt. William E. Higgs, who was killed in the war in 1943; his wife, Ruth, in 2003, and his second wife, Patricia (Thomas) Higgs in 2013.
He is survived by his son, James R. “Jim” Higgs (Suzanne,) three grandchildren: Robert E. Higgs (Lynn,) Dianna Stampfler, and Katelyn Kenitz; five great-grandchildren; his sister, Betty Orr, several nieces and nephews and a former daughter-in-law, Sue E. Higgs.
Cremation has taken place and a graveside service will be held Saturday, April 19, 2014 at 2:00 P.M. at Hillside Cemetery in Plainwell.
Contributions in memory of Bob may be made to
Wings of Hope Hospice
or Otsego V.F.W. Post #3030.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
Offer Condolence for the family of Robert Higgs
Condolence Messages
Patti Howell
March 7, 2014 at 7:55 pm
Jim and Suzanne
I am so sorry for your loss. It must be comforting to know that you where able to be with him so much in the past couple of years. I know there is nothing I can say that will make all of the pain and sadness go away, but I will pray for peace for both of you and your family during this very sad time. Love you.
Patti
Reply
Sherry and Ken Schumaker
March 8, 2014 at 12:02 pm
Jim, Bob, Dianna and the entire Higgs family, we are so sorry to hear of Bob’s passing and know that you are feeling pain and grief and we send our thoughts, sympathy, and prayers.
I have memories of spending time with him and he was always witty and funny and a pleasure to be around.I know you will miss him greatly, but take some comfort in the fact that he is not longer suffering and is reunited with ones he also loved.
Reply
Bernie and Barb Livingston
March 8, 2014 at 5:07 pm
Sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Bernie and Barb.
Reply
Dawn McCune Jones
March 9, 2014 at 7:56 pm
Dear Jim and Suzanne, My deepest sympathy to you and your family in the loss of your Dad. You were very blessed to have had him with you for so long and may your wonderful memories of your years together bring you great comfort at this sad time. Your friend, Dawn.
Reply
Jerry and Judy (Flegal) Shumaker
March 10, 2014 at 9:24 pm
We are so sorry for your loss. Please know that our thoughts and sympathy are with you. May your special memories help to guide you through your grief. Take care.
Reply
Rick Kelly
March 11, 2014 at 10:33 am
Sorry to hear about your dad. Jim and Rick Kelly
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
*
Comment
*
Name
*
*
Δ
Obituary Notification Service
Enter your email address if you would like to be notified when a new obituary notice is posted:
Search Obituaries
How do I send a condolence
At the bottom of this page, you will find a condolence form. You will need to fill out some basic information prior to typing your message. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone) Once you are finished, simply click the submit condolence button. The condolence will be approved before it is published to the web site.
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