Name: Visitation for Richard E. Higley
Start: 2021-10-15T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2021-10-15T22:00:00.000Z
Location: Palmer Bush & Jensen Family Funeral Homes- Holt Delhi Chapel

Richard E. Higley

Holt - Richard Edward Higley, 91, of Holt, passed away March 15, 2020. Dick, son of Harold Bernard Higley and Mary (Galati) Higley, was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, November 21, 1928. After living in Grand Rapids and Chicago, Dick attended seminary, intent on becoming a priest. That included time in Montreal, where he picked up some hockey skates and a love for the ice. After realizing the priesthood was not his calling, Dick returned to Lansing, to attend Michigan State University, where he met the love of his life, Marilyn Patricia (Pat) Donovan. Pat and Dick were active Newman Club members, but he admits she had him when he heard her singing solo in the MSU choir.

Dick taught Spanish at Holt High School, earned master's degrees in social work and counseling at MSU, and he and Pat went on to have six children. As an adoption and foster care specialist, he worked for Catholic Family Social Services in Alpena, Essexville, Saginaw, and Muskegon. The family lived in Spring Lake for several years, before returning to Lansing where Dick began working for the Michigan Department of Social Services, where he served as liaison to the legislature. The Detroit News referred to him as Michigan's first "czar of adoption and foster care."

Dick was a man of devout faith. He and Pat joined the Work of Christ Community in Lansing and were longtime members of Immaculate Heart of Mary. He cherished his glass or two of Glenfiddich (for medicinal purposes!) and regular tea and crumpets with friends. Now and then, you could get him to recite snippets of verse or a phrase or two in Greek or Latin. In his later years, he continued charming all he met, and telling friends "I take nourishment quite well for an old man."

Dick will be missed by his brother Harold, children Thomas (Nan), Anne (Eric), David (Gayla), Kathleen (Bruce), James (Robin), and John (Sheri) and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Welcoming him to heaven are his parents, wife Patricia, and infant son Gerard.

Due to current conditions, the family will schedule a memorial and service at some point in the future. Friends may send the family a condolence and find updated service details by visiting www.palmerbush.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Lansing State Journal from Mar. 17 to Mar. 18, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Higley

Sponsored by Palmer Bush & Jensen Family Funeral Homes- Holt Delhi Chapel.

15 Entries

Justin Banks

October 28, 2020

So sorry to hear of Mr. Higley's passing. I remember him as a fine Lector at IHM Church in Lansing. It was appropriate that his career was in adoption/foster care. I could see him doing that very well. Condolences to the Higley family. May the angels sing thee to thy rest.

Terri Mitchell

April 4, 2020

Dick was a very kind man. I met him and Pat when I cared for Pat through hospice. I visited him a couple times after he moved to Great Lakes. I marvelled at his weekly dinner parties. He always seemed to have so much energy. He always smiled and was so gracious. We shared a love of rhubarb and good cherry tomatoes. My condolences to the family.

Mark Holoweiko

March 26, 2020

Jan Munk

March 25, 2020

Dick and Pat taught me much about hospitality, service to others, and faithful love of God. Even in his failing year, Dick invited Jerry and me to lunch at the "big house." What a joy he was! Eternal memory, dear brother, worthy of all blessedness.

Kay Eyde-Palinski

March 25, 2020

Pat and I were classmates . I played her grandmother in the High School Paly "Don't Take My Penney " Pat was Penney . I met Dick when he first came to the Newman Club and introduced him to my
classmate . He seemed ready for the introduction . He later became President of the MSU Newman Club
and Pat became treasurer . When they arrived at a decision to marry we joked that it was a fine
set-up for the President to abscond with the Treasurer . We remained forever friends . LOL Kay Eyde-Palinski

Becky McCarthy

March 23, 2020

What a wonderful life long, loyal, friend to my parents and our whole family. He has been a special person in my life since my earliest childhood memories. He has always had time for children and teased and joked with them. My son Stephen(Stevie) sees him as a bonus grandpa and will miss him greatly. We consider him to be family. My the angels welcome you to Paradise...

Mary Holoweiko

March 23, 2020

Thinking of you all in this sad time. Virtual hugs to all my cousins. Grateful for the memories. His large smile and glint in his eye when he was about to tease. His living out his faith. No doubt he is home in heaven.

Praying for you.
Elizabeth Jean, god-daughter, Mary Ellen

March 23, 2020

Dear Kathy and Bruce, So sorry for your loss. We will keep you in our prayers. Blessings, Linda and Kevin Skiba

Sandy Diesness

March 20, 2020

So very sorry for your loss. Mr. Higley was a wonderful man. So kind and welcoming, touched many lives with his smile & faith!

Mark Holoweiko

March 19, 2020

Dear Anne, Tom, Kathy, Dave, John, Sheri, and the entire Higley family, please know that the Holoweikos and Donovans are sending prayers for the comfort of Uncle Dick and all of you at this most difficult time. Once again, the adage misery loves company has proven true, as your father and ours were in the hospital at the same time, and passed into heaven within two days of one another. Reunited with Aunt Patsy and Mom, plus all the other family members who have gone before them, no doubt they are having quite the party up there now, especially with Dad on the accordion and your mother's angelic singing.

Uncle Dick was always so kind and cheerful, even as Aunt Pat grew ill, whether joining us at Kewpee for burgers, or Delhi Cafe for some family celebration. I will always remember too how he inquired about what was going on in my life, even when I was quite young, and how attentive he was to whatever I had to say. Both Uncle Dick and Aunt Pat were exemplary Christians as well, of course, actually living the virtues of faith, hope and charity in such a humble manner, never holier than thou.

I will remember them both with love and affection always, and end my self-isolation soon to pick up a bottle of Glenfiddich with which to toast the many ways in which they made this world a better place.

Jim Lyon

March 18, 2020

Family: We just can't think of a nicer man than Dick, and we are so saddened by your loss. While Dick was 7 years my senior, we shared many seminary stories, meals, and were classmates at MSU in the late 50's, even collaborating on a joint thesis. My wife, Carrie, who was then near term for our second child (Pat became her Godmother and I, Godfather to James) did the typing and she even today talks about the required 8 onion skin copies. Later Dick and Pat introduced us to camping, as you may recall. And that was passed on to our children.

We wish to express our condolences to all of you. We remember Dick as a wonderful friend, role model, family man, accomplished social worker, and Christ loving. God bless you all.

Jim and Carrie Lyon

Shelly Landmesser

March 18, 2020

John and family, keeping you in prayer and sending hugs.

Margo Brown

March 18, 2020

Kathy, Tom, Jim, John....I am so very sorry to hear this sad news. He is a man of great hospitality and fine conversational skills, not to mention easy to laugh with. I have many good memories of his kindness, conversation, and wisdom. I will miss him. He, your mom, and your family/ies will be in my prayers.

Susanne Ballard

March 18, 2020

I am grateful for the friendship that we shared!!! I am happy he is reunited with Pat and other loved ones!!!

March 18, 2020

Jim and Robin, We are so very sorry for your loss. Wishing you and yours peace and grace during this difficult time.
Tricia and Raney

Showing 1 - 15 of 15 results