In Memory Of
Robert Joseph Higgs
1930
2015
Robert Joseph Higgs
July 24, 1930 — March 14, 2015
Robert Joseph Higgs, 84, died March 14, 2015 at his home. He was born July 24, 1930 in Topeka, the son of LeRoy Vial and Gladys Marie (Coyner) Higgs. He was a lifelong resident of Topeka. He grew up in North Topeka, attending Curtis Junior High before crossing the river and graduating from Topeka High School in 1949.
He served in the U.S Navy from 1949 to 1953. He continued to serve his country as a member of the Air National Guard from 1973 until his retirement in July 1990. He retired as a Senior Master Sergeant in the Fire Service. He joined the Topeka Fire Department in 1953. He served the city for 35 years retiring in 1988 as a Battalion Chief in the Training Division.
He was a member of Golden Rule Lodge #90 AF&AM (Worshipful Master in 1976). He was appointed Grand Tyler of the Grand Lodge of Kansas in 1985. He was a member of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Topeka - where he was coroneted a 33rd degree in 1997; Past Venerable Master, Lodge of Perfection. He was a member of Arab Shrine, Aaonms - past Commander of the Legion of Honor; Order of Quetzalcoatl Cholula No. 8; Shrine Coffee Clutchers. He was a member of Helena Chapter #210 Order of the Eastern Star (Worthy Patron 1990-1991 and 2014-2015). He was a Grand Guard, Grand Chapter of Kansas OES multiple times and Grand Representative of Washington in Kansas.
He was a member of First Christian Church (Good Fellowship Sunday School Class), Topeka Genealogy Society and Holton American Legion Post 44.
He married Dorothy 'Dottie' J. Emerson Higgs, on January 14, 1955. She survives. He had two brothers William C. Higgs (Kay) of Topeka and George Higgs (deceased) of Rockville MD.
He is also survived by a daughter, Debra Marshall of Ellettsville, IN; a son, Richard Higgs (Diana) of Las Vegas, NV; grandchildren Jennifer Higgs, Peter Marshall, Amber, Matthew and Kaylee Kinter; great-granddaughters Jasmyn and Callie Hill; a niece, Kathy Peebles; and a nephew, Michael Higgs.
Masonic services will be Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at 6:00 pm with visitation to follow at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Avenue. A memorial service will be 2:00 pm, Thursday, March 19, 2015 at First Christian Church, 1880 SW Gage. The family requests no flowers.
Memorial donations may be to the Kansas Masonic Cancer Research Institute at 2017 Wahl Hall West, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66460.
He will be cremated with private internment of the cremains at Rochester Cemetery.
To leave a special message for Robert's family, please visit the guestbook below.
He served in the U.S Navy from 1949 to 1953. He continued to serve his country as a member of the Air National Guard from 1973 until his retirement in July 1990. He retired as a Senior Master Sergeant in the Fire Service. He joined the Topeka Fire Department in 1953. He served the city for 35 years retiring in 1988 as a Battalion Chief in the Training Division.
He was a member of Golden Rule Lodge #90 AF&AM (Worshipful Master in 1976). He was appointed Grand Tyler of the Grand Lodge of Kansas in 1985. He was a member of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Topeka - where he was coroneted a 33rd degree in 1997; Past Venerable Master, Lodge of Perfection. He was a member of Arab Shrine, Aaonms - past Commander of the Legion of Honor; Order of Quetzalcoatl Cholula No. 8; Shrine Coffee Clutchers. He was a member of Helena Chapter #210 Order of the Eastern Star (Worthy Patron 1990-1991 and 2014-2015). He was a Grand Guard, Grand Chapter of Kansas OES multiple times and Grand Representative of Washington in Kansas.
He was a member of First Christian Church (Good Fellowship Sunday School Class), Topeka Genealogy Society and Holton American Legion Post 44.
He married Dorothy 'Dottie' J. Emerson Higgs, on January 14, 1955. She survives. He had two brothers William C. Higgs (Kay) of Topeka and George Higgs (deceased) of Rockville MD.
He is also survived by a daughter, Debra Marshall of Ellettsville, IN; a son, Richard Higgs (Diana) of Las Vegas, NV; grandchildren Jennifer Higgs, Peter Marshall, Amber, Matthew and Kaylee Kinter; great-granddaughters Jasmyn and Callie Hill; a niece, Kathy Peebles; and a nephew, Michael Higgs.
Masonic services will be Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at 6:00 pm with visitation to follow at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Avenue. A memorial service will be 2:00 pm, Thursday, March 19, 2015 at First Christian Church, 1880 SW Gage. The family requests no flowers.
Memorial donations may be to the Kansas Masonic Cancer Research Institute at 2017 Wahl Hall West, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66460.
He will be cremated with private internment of the cremains at Rochester Cemetery.
To leave a special message for Robert's family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert Joseph Higgs, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Masonic Service
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
6:00pm - 6:30 am (Central time)
Parker-Price & Davidson
Memorial Service
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Starts at 2:00 pm (Central time)
First Christian Church
Guestbook
Visits: 3
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