Dale Gordon Higer

1941 - 2023

Dale Gordon Higer

June 23, 1941 - December 19, 2023

Boise, Idaho - Dale Gordon Higer died peacefully, amidst his loving family, on December 19th. Dale was born in 1941 in Emmett, Idaho to Jean Wentworth Higer and Clarence Henry "C.H." Higer, the second of four boys. He attended Emmett schools graduating in 1959. He was also a proud Eagle Scout. Dale went on to the University of Washington. He was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame and graduated cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in History.

Dale then went on to law school at Harvard. Even though he was a native Idahoan, Dale didn't learn to ski until he went East to school. He loved skiing, favorite slopes included Bogus, Baldy and most of all, Cortina.

After graduating law school, Dale began a tour of duty with the Army. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 35th Armor in Germany where he made lifelong friends. He purchased his dream car, a shiny red Porsche 911. He was promoted to Captain and awarded the Army Commendation Medal.

Dale returned to Idaho to practice law as the Chief Deputy Prosecutor of Canyon County. He then went into practice with the firm Eberle Berlin, and later Stoel Rives. Dale practiced law for 40 years, retiring in 2006.

He earned his pilot's license and had many adventures, some hair raising, in flight. He was also a skilled woodworker and gardener.

Dale was always involved in his community and served as the President of the Boise Art Museum, Planning & Zoning Commissioner, President of the Idaho Botanical Garden and many others. In life Dale aspired to follow the Athenian oath to "transmit this City not only, not less, but greater and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us."

He was a member of the Idaho State Bar and a member of the Uniform Law Commission where he was made a Life Member after more than twenty years of pro bono service. Dale considered his service as a commissioner the highest accomplishment of his legal career. He was an Idaho Statesman Distinguished Citizen in 1987 and in 2016 he received the Distinguished Lawyer Award from the Idaho State Bar. Dale was a Kingfish of the Arid Club and met with his Wednesday Lunch group for 40 years.

Dale married his true partner in life, Ramona Garro, in 1973. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this June. Dale and Ramona shared a love of history, gardening, architecture and traveling and especially enjoyed being at their place in McCall. Dale was a wonderful father to his daughters, Sarah and Allegra, always making time for them and their interests. He was an adoring grandfather to Devon, Jet and Beckett - supporting them and their passions. He was our rock.

Dale is survived by his wife, Ramona, daughters Sarah and Allegra (Thompson), son in law Michael Thompson and former son in law Shawn Wilkerson, grandchildren Devon, Jet and Beckett, brothers Ralph (Yvonne), Nathan (Kay) and Warren (Connie), sisters in law Adelia Simplot and Susan (Wayne) Meuleman and numerous loved nieces and nephews. Donations in Dale's memory may be made to the Idaho Botanical Garden.

A celebration of Dale's life was held January 9, 2024 at St. Michael's Cathedral.