Steven Higgins

PEORIA - Steven Dean Higgins, 57, of 20834 Fourth Ave. West, Cudjoe Key, Fla., formerly of Peoria, passed away Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, at his residence.

Steven was born Jan. 6, 1953, in Peoria, Ill., to Margaret (Arell) Higgins and Herbert Higgins. His mother survives.

He was preceded in death by his father.

He is survived by his wife, Becky (Ensley) Higgins of Cudjoe Key, Fla.; his sister, Patricia Penn of Lakeside, Texas; and two brothers, Larry Higgins of Bartonville, Ill., and Dennis Higgins of Las Vegas, Nev.

Steven and Becky were married July 26, 1991, at the Hemmingway House in Key West, Fla.

Steven joined Caterpillar Inc. in 1972 while completing his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Bradley University. He joined Caterpillar Americas Co. in 1996.

In 1998, Steven and Becky moved to Santiago, Chile, where he became the senior service rep, traveling to Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina. Before retiring from a very successful 30-year career with Caterpillar, Steven was the catalyst behind the "THINK BIG" program introduction in South America. He worked strenuously to achieve the goal of starting the first of its kind two-year technical degree program inaugurated in Lima, Peru, which was considered for several awards from the U.S. government.

Steven and Becky retired to Cudjoe Key, Fla., in January of 2003.

A memorial celebration of life will be held in the spring with a date to be announced in the future.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice and the Visiting Nurse Association of the Florida Keys, 1319 Williams St., Key West, FL 33040.