Melbourne H. Higgins, 70, passed away peacefully in his home on March 7, 2013, surrounded by his family. Visitation will be Wednesday, March 13, 2013 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Royer Funeral Home, 100 Royer Lane, Grain Valley, MO. Memorial services will be Thursday, March 14, 2013 at 2:00 p.m.
Born March 27, 1942 in Hingham, MA, Mel was the fourth child of Walter and Catherine Higgins. Raised in Hingham and then Conway, NH, Mel grew up with a love for the mountains, fishing spots, crystal clear rivers and ocean beaches in that area. He developed a life-long appreciation of nature. Mel graduated from Kennett High School, Conway, NH in 1961.
In 1967 Mel met his wife Diane, from Kansas, at a resort in Jackson, NH and they were married three months later in Acton, MA. They moved to Topeka, KS in order to continue their education and Mel graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Washburn University in 1974. Mel and Diane raised three wonderful daughters and eventually made their home for 35 years in Blue Springs, MO.
Mel served in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War era, where he worked as a radar technician and attended electronics school. After leaving the Air Force, Mel began his career as a field service engineer, working primarily with programmable controllers. Mel’s field service work involved extensive travel and he had visited nearly every state in the US. He and family lived in MA, GA, TX, KS and finally MO.
After suffering some health issues in 1988, Mel switched to a career in sales, which suited his very outgoing, dynamic, people-oriented personality. He was a kind, gentle family man, with a wonderful sense of humor and a zest for living each day to the fullest. Family holidays were favorite times for Mel and family and Mel loved spending time with his six grandchildren, ages 2-19. With his family and friends, Mel enjoyed many years of outdoor camping, fishing and annual canoe trips. He also loved riding his motorcycle with friends.
Mel participated in Blue Springs community activities for years, serving as President of the Blue Springs Fall Fun Fest as well as Treasurer and Parade Chairman. He belonged to the Blue Springs American Legion and was a member of Blue Springs First United Methodist Church.
Beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather and uncle, Mel is survived by his wife of 45 years, Diane, of the home; three daughters and their husbands, Suzanne (Todd) Stottlemyre, Blue Springs, MO; Wendy (Ben) Siebold, Blue Springs, MO; Natalie (Alex) Hammel, Olathe, KS; two brothers, Walter (Joyce) Higgins, Chelmsford, MA; Jack Higgins, Payson, AZ; a sister Elaine Mercer, Merrimack, NH; six grandchildren, Kylie and Connor Stottlemyre, Savannah Higgins-Wyatt and Joshua Siebold, Ethan and Elyse Hammel; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley, MO 816-847-4441