Robert Martin Higby

1926 – 2020

 

     Robert Martin Higby, 93, of Keokuk, IA, formerly of Lake Ozark, MO died Sunday, May 3, 2020 at River Hills Village in Keokuk.

     He was born on November 11, 1926 in Denver, CO, the son of Harry Martin and Norene Kracaw Higby.  

     Robert graduated from the Mt. Pleasant Iowa High School with the Class of 1947.  He continued his education at Iowa Wesleyan University in Mt. Pleasant and received his Bachelor of Arts degree.  He received his Master’s Degree from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO.     

     On December 20, 1953, Robert was united in marriage to Norma Grace Reitzel.  She preceded him in death on December 25, 2018.

     Robert was a veteran of the United States Marine and proudly served his country during WW II, stationed in Guam, Iwo Jima and Northern China.

    He began his career as a History and Psychology teacher and football coach in Albia, IA and continued that path in Wellman, IA and Vinton IA.  After moving to Lake Ozark, MO he taught at the School of the Osage in Lake Ozark, Camdenton High School in Camdenton, MO and Eldon High School in Eldon, MO.  Following his retirement from Eldon High School, Robert was employed at the Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach.

     He was a member of the Lake Ozark Christian Church and the Lake Ozark Rotary Club.

     Robert loved spending time at the lake where he enjoyed boating, scuba diving and riding his motorcycle.  He enjoyed his coffee and conversation with his coaching buddies every morning.  He also enjoyed watching college football and was a Mizzou and Hawkeye fan.  Robert was an avid reader and especially enjoyed reading about the Civil War and traveling, with his wife, to visit civil war battle sites.  They also loved traveling to Colorado.  

     He is survived by two daughters, Beth Anne Higby of Newhall, CA and Kathy Lynn Gage (Greg) of Keokuk, two sons, Richard Martin Higby (Ann) of St. Louis, MO and James Robert Higby (Brett) of Lake St. Louis, MO, four grandchildren, Jessica Lynn Walker (Chris) of Parachute, CO, Thomas Bennett Gage of Lincoln, NE, Jacob Robert Higby of Lake St. Louis, MO and Maria Grace Higby of Lake St. Louis, MO, two great-grandchildren, Finn Charles Walker and Ayla Claire Walker, and one sister, Sheila Faricy of St. Paul, MN.

     He was also preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Rosalie Anderson and two brothers, Wayne and Mike Higby.

     A graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Friday at the Forest Home Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant, IA with Pastor David Turner officiating.

     Due to the current restrictions on gatherings, there will only be a private family visitation.

     Memorials may be made to the Lake Ozark Christian Church.

     The Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk is assisting the family with arrangements.

     Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.vigenmemorialhome.com