Robert L. Higgins

Robert Lee Higgins was born May 30, 1925 in Shawnee, Oklahoma to Harvey B. Higgins and Lillian Lee Higgins. The eldest of four boys, he came of age during the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. In 1944, at age 19, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, and after his basic training in Texas, he joined the crew of a B-24 bomber as its navigator. His service during World War II took him to the South Pacific, and he was stationed in the Philippines and, later, Japan.

In 1946, he married Mary Jean Midkiff, a native Virginian, in Harlan, Kentucky. After they married, they moved to Norman, Oklahoma where Robert attended the University of Oklahoma; he studied geological engineering and wrestled as an OU Sooner. He graduated in 1950 and began work for Standard Oil and Gas Company (which later became Amoco Oil). In 1955, his son Charles Lee was born in Casper, Wyoming, and in 1958, his second son, Robert Alan, was also born in Casper. Before settling in Lakewood, Colorado in 1965, the family resided in Wyoming, Montana, and Alaska.

Robert spent the entirety of his career with Amoco Oil, and he retired, after 36 years of service, in 1986.

Robert had many diverse and interesting hobbies; among many activities, he enjoyed golf, puzzles of all kinds, woodworking, needlepoint, and models. His passions also included following OU Sooner sports, particularly football and basketball, and the Denver Broncos. Additionally, he was a skilled cook and baker, and it was with great joy that he cooked his family "big breakfast" on Sunday mornings, prepared holiday meals, and baked many of his grandchildren specialty birthday cakes.

A gifted storyteller, he enjoyed time regaling his friends, neighbors, and family with humorous anecdotes and stories from his life. He had a keen intellect, read widely, liked to be a part of spirited conversation, and was a lively part of any gathering.

Above all, Robert was a loving and influential family man. He was a devoted, affectionate husband, a proud father, and beloved grandfather and great-grandfather.

He passed, peacefully, May 17, 2016 in Lakewood, Colorado.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Lillian; his brothers, Jerry, Clifford, and Donald; and his wife, Mary Jean.

He is survived by his sons, Charles and Alan; his grandchildren, Jessica, Matthew, Tera, Daniel, Andrei, and Anna; and his great-grandchildren, Norah, Caleb, Owen, Cecilia, Avery, Leslie, Alaya, and Aiden.

He will be dearly missed.