Richard “Dick” Higgins
Died February 12, 2017
SUTTONS BAY - Richard Joseph “Dick” Higgins, 85, of Suttons Bay, passed away on Sunday, February 12, 2017, at Munson Medical Center.
Dick was born on September 18, 1931, in Hartford, CT, the son of Joseph and Mary Frances (Gates) Higgins. He grew up in Hartford and attended William H. Hall High School. He studied at Boston College before transferring to Colgate University to play collegiate golf. He graduated in 1953.
After achieving a degree in economics and a reputation as a scratch left-handed golfer, Dick joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. He completed basic training at Parris Island, SC, and went on to the Officer Candidate School in Quantico, VA. He earned the rank of First Lieutenant in 1956.
Settling back into civilian life in Battle Creek, MI, Dick kicked off what would turn out to be a 40-year career at the Bill Knapp's restaurant chain, starting as a restaurant manager, then advancing to purchasing agent and junior executive on the way to becoming chairman of the board of Bill Knapp's, Inc. in the mid 1970s. In partnership with his good friend and colleague, CEO Jerry Hill, he helped the chain known for informal family dining grow to 69 restaurants in four states, with 4,200 employees. Dick also served as CEO for four years before his retirement in 1996. He held posts on boards of Michigan National Bank and Federal Life and Casualty.
From childhood on through to his final years, Dick rooted for the New York Yankees, but his passion was to play golf alongside his good friends at courses throughout the U.S. and beyond. He served as chairman of the Battle Creek District Golf Association, and he won the association’s 1960 “match play” crown after dropping a long putt to go three-up on the 30th hole of the three-round tournament. Dick also won tournaments hosted by the Battle Creek Country Club, where he served as president and volunteered for many years as greens chairman.
Dick also loved carving through fresh snow on Rendezvous Bowl at the Jackson Hole Ski Resort, where he lived from 1996 to 2004 before moving to Suttons Bay, MI, with his wife, artist Anne (Schroder) Higgins. They celebrated their 59th anniversary before her death in 2014.
He is survived by his children: Peter (Cheryl), Pamela (Steve), Gregory (Carole) and Blake. His grandchildren — Taylor, Connor, Wilson, Cameron, Ryan and Aaliyah
— knew and loved him as “Dickie,” “Grandpa Snazzy” or simply "Grandpa."
Contributions in Dick’s name may be directed to either the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (875 N. Randolph St., Suite 225, Arlington VA 22203; nmcrs.org) or the Leelanau Conservancy (P.O. Box 1007, Leland, MI 49654; leelanauconservancy.org).
Family and friends will gather for a memorial celebration in Suttons Bay this spring.
Please share memories and condolences with the Higgins family below:
We were blessed to have Dick and Annie as our next door neighbors in Suttons Bay. I will never forget their generosity and their love of life. Dick was very special to us and we were so happy that he decided to move back in to his home on the lake. He was a kind,caring person and a true gentleman. He will be missed! RIP Dick. Prayers to all of his family during this difficult time.
ReplyDeleteMike and Linda Cox