Walter Higgins

Walter M. Higgins Jr. passed away September 3, 2009 of Pancreatic cancer.  He was born June 27, 1918 in Washington D.C. to Major Walter M and Frances Merydith Higgins. Grew up in Rockville, MD and graduated from Columbia Tech Institute in Architectural Design & Drafting. He joined the U. S. Navy December 8, 1941 and served 4 years at the Office of Naval Intelligence in Washington D.C. In 1949 he moved to the west coast and through the United Methodist Church was involved in the opening and administration of a new retirement facility, Willamette View Manor, in Portland, Oregon.  In 1955 he became the Executive Director of the visionary project to build a retirement community in Southern Oregon.  Rogue Valley Manor, Medford, Oregon opened in 1961.  In 1970 he joined the staff of Wesley Homes, Des Moines, Washington and retired as their Executive Director in 1986.  He and his wife of 66 years, Dorothy Jane Cruickshank, who survives him, have lived in Wesley Homes since 1989.
Walt kept the Des Moines librarians active as a passionate reader, was an avid handyman, boater, Eagle Scout, Rotarian, and member of the American Clan Gregor Society.
His loving and proud family also includes Walter M Higgins III (Jacqueline) Reno NV; Susan Nicol (Scott) Portland OR; Alison Bryant (Stuart Ono) Woodinville WA; Jane Fredricksen (Jim) Mercer Island WA; 9 grandchildren, 9 gr grandchildren. A celebration of his life will be held, Thursday, Sept 10, 2 p.m. at Logan Hall, Wesley Gardens, 815 S. 216th, Des Moines, WA. Memorials may be made to Circle of Concern, Wesley Homes, 815 S. 216th, Des Moines, WA  or Hospice Services, Group Health Foundation, 320 Westlake Av N., Suite100, Seattle, WA  98109.  Visit an online guestbook at www.bartonfuneral.com.