Kenneth Leo Higbee

1941 - 2016

June 18, 1941 ~ Dec. 11, 2016
Kenneth Leo Higbee died on Dec. 11, 2016 from the effects of a brain tumor. Ken grew up in Spokane, Washington, where he was born to Leo C. and Gretta Woolf Higbee on June 18, 1941. He was the oldest of their five children.
Ken graduated from North Central High School in Spokane. After receiving bachelor's and master's degrees from Brigham Young University and a Ph.D. from Purdue University, he returned to Provo in 1970 to teach in BYU's Psychology Department and at many years of Education Week. Much of his research concentrated on memory development. His signature academic achievement was his book on memory improvement that has been continuously in print since 1977. He also enjoyed teaching religion classes at BYU, including Book of Mormon, New Testament, and Doctrine and Covenants. He retired from BYU in 2007.
Ken's great-great-grandfather, John Somers Higbee, was one of the original 1847 Utah pioneers and led the 130 families who settled Provo in 1849. Ken was a faithful lifelong member of the LDS church. As a young man, Ken was an LDS missionary in the Gulf States and he continued in later church service in various roles, including as a BYU bishop, MTC branch president, and on several high councils. He particularly enjoyed teaching gospel doctrine classes.
Through the years, Ken donated many hours of community service to civic, scouting, and church groups by teaching people how to remember better. He also frequently performed as an amateur magician. His other interests included running, bicycling, and traveling. He had many memorable runs and rides and visited 49 U.S. states and 42 other countries.
On January 28, 1965, Ken married Patricia Whittaker in the Salt Lake Temple. They have four children, Dawn (Gary Roberts), Janelle, Loren, and Lana (Travis Hill), and three granddaughters, Carina, Brittanna, and Adelia Roberts. Ken is survived by siblings Glen, James, and Jean. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Robert.
Funeral services are planned for Saturday, Dec. 17 at 11:00 a.m. at the LDS Pleasant View First Ward chapel, 650 Stadium Avenue, Provo. There will be family visitation hours on Friday, Dec. 16 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Utah Valley Mortuary, 1966 West 700 North, Lindon, and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Stadium Avenue chapel.