Robert "Bob" Lamar Higginbotham

May 8, 1940 ~ April 18, 2025

Bob was born in Jacksonville, Florida. He graduated from Fletcher High School in Jacksonville Beach and volunteered for the US Army in 1960. He spent most of his three years of service in Germany.

Upon returning from Germany in 1963, Bob went to work as a draftsman for the Florida Road Department in Lake City, FL. In 1975 he left FDOT to work in the phosphate industry (American Cyanamid Company, in Polk County), designing land reclamation projects in Polk and Hillsborough counties. After leaving American Cyanamid Company, he worked for several design consultant engineering firms in Tampa, Bartow, and Tallahassee, before returning to FDOT in 1991. Bob designed highway projects, for various locations in Florida during his 40-year career. He retired from the Department of Transportation in 2003 as an Engineer III. He was a truly gifted draftsman and engineer who loved his work.

Bob married the love of his life, Diane, after a very brief courtship on January 31st, 1964. They fell in love while both working at the Florida Road Department in Lake City. In their 61+ years together they’ve lived in Lake City, Lakeland, Tallahassee, and Wakulla County, returning to Tallahassee in 1999 to be closer to their children and grandchildren. He and Diane were active and devoted members of several United Methodist Churches over the years.

Bob enjoyed hunting and fishing, working in his yard, various home projects, teaching Sunday school, and traveling with Diane in their camper. As a skilled draftsman, Bob always had a talent for sketching and drawing, and at the age of 70 began a hobby of acrylic painting. He produced 9 original paintings which are truly captivating in their level of detail and realism.

Bob was an avid storyteller, singer and the absolute rock of his family. He was the king of coining his own terms and phrases for things and giving silly nicknames to his dearest loved ones. Bob was a pillar of his community, always willing to lend a hand, a tool or an ear. He was a steady presence and guiding light to all who knew him, never without kind and gentle words of wisdom when needed. No one left his home without a story from his childhood, a life lesson or a passage of scripture.

In addition to his loving wife, Bob is survived by his children Bonnie H. Pfuntner of Green Cove Springs, FL and Joseph Mark Higginbotham (spouse LeAndra) of Tallahassee, FL. Their grandchildren are Lauren Hite (spouse Dylan), Julia Eubanks (spouse Frank), Raea Higginbotham, Lila Higginbotham, Wes Pfuntner (spouse Reese) and Gabriel Higginbotham. Bob and Diane also have eight great-grandchildren; Porter, Bastian, Piper, Maylee, Charlotte, Clayton, Annabelle and Audrey. Bob is also survived by his brother James Everett Higginbotham of West Palm Beach, FL and sister Nancy H. Pridgen, of Tallahassee, FL. In addition, Bob is survived by many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.

There will be a gathering of family and friends for Visitation and Meal at Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, Timberlane Road Chapel on Sunday, April 27, 2025 from 5:00-7:00 PM.

Memorial Service will be held 2 PM, Monday, April 28, 2025 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 120 W Park Ave., Tallahassee, Florida 32301.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity United Methodist Missions or The Living Harvest of Tallahassee.