Richard M. High

Richard M. High, 72, of Miami, Florida, passed away on December 14, 2023. He was born on August 27, 1951, in Miami, Florida, to the late Thomas R. High and Lochiel V. (Hood) High. He was a graduate of South Miami High School, class of 1970.

Richard was a kind-hearted and fun-loving individual with a witty sense of humor and a fearless, adventurous spirit. He had a life long love of the ocean enjoying boating, fishing or exploring the ocean depths. His other passion was anything aviation. He loved to fly planes as well as well skydive out of perfectly good ones. Richard was always seeking new experiences to challenge himself. His curiosity and dedication to mastering new skills and pursuits presented him the opportunity to obtain his Private Pilots license, USCG Boat Captain license, certification as a PADI Dive instructor as well as an NRA Instructor, which was truly inspiring.

Richard is survived by his loving spouse of 21 years, Patricia "Christine" High. He also leaves behind his brothers, Kurt and Mark High, as well as his sister-in-law, Rosanna (Sagona) High. Richard will be fondly remembered by his nephew, Brandon High, and his wife, Jen, along with their daughter, Emma. He also leaves behind his niece, Faye (High) Sessions, her husband, Chris, and their daughters, Dixie and Magnolia. Richard was preceded in death by his father, mother, and brother-in-law, Adam Hughes.

In 1972, Richard proudly served in the United States Air Force as a Fire Prevention Specialist. He was honorably discharged in 1978, having dedicated himself to the military and its mission. Richard's commitment and dedication to his service will always be remembered and something that he was most proud of. He subsequently received an Associates Degree in 1981 from MDCC in Business Administration.

After his military service, Richard pursued a career in the Automotive/Truck/RV rental industry in various management positions, where he excelled until his retirement in 2007. He was a hardworking and dedicated professional, leaving a lasting impact on those he worked with.

Beyond his professional life, Richard had a passion for protecting our waters. He joined the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary in 2006, supporting the cause in various roles, and receiving numerous awards and commendations for his contributions. He retired from the USCG Auxiliary in 2021. His love for the water and his dedication to ensuring boating safety were truly commendable.

In his typical humble fashion, Richard requested no funeral services, however a Celebration of Life will be planned for the future, with details to be determined. Should you feel so inclined, you are welcome to make a donation to the charity Wounded Warriors Project in his name. Contributions can be made at support.woundedwarriorproject.org.

Richard M. High lived a life full of love, laughter, and adventure. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. May he rest in peace, knowing that his spirit and impact will forever be cherished.