LONG BEACH - Retired Navy Rear Adm. John Higginson loved being Long Beach's Admiral. So, after 34 years in the Navy, he continued to lead, serving as president of the Chamber of Commerce and the American Gold Star Manor and Home.
"John was a kind, loving leader who had a passion for service to his country as well as his community," said his wife of 52 years, Nancy.
Higginson died Tuesday. He was 77.
Originally from East St. Louis, Higginson attended community college in Illinois and went on to attend St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas, where he met his wife.
"She was working in the registrar's office at St. Mary's and had the pick of several thousand guys; it was a guy's-only school at the time. And she picked me," he said in an article in the Signal Tribune Newspaper in 2008.
Higginson was commissioned in the Navy in 1956. He was a Naval Aviator flying helicopters and held several command positions. He also taught environmental science at the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Naval War College.
Higginson was later transferred to a ship that was the primary recovery ship for the next Apollo mission where he participated in the recovery operations for Apollos 8, 11, 12, 13 and 15.
In 1986, after 30 years of service, the Navy sent Higginson to Long Beach, where he seved as Commander Naval Surface Group, Long Beach.
After retiring in March 1990, Higginson steered clear of the rest and relaxation that usually comes with retirement.
He served as president of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce for two years and 15 years as president and chief executive officer of the American Gold Star Manor, a charitable, nonprofit corporation that provides affordable housing for Gold Star Mothers, veterans and eligible seniors.
"Admiral Higginson used the many leadership skills he developed in the U.S. Navy to effectively manage the American Gold Star Manor," said Terry Geiling in the Tribune interview. Geiling took over as president after Higginson's retirement.
Under the Admiral's guidance, the Manor prospered and provided a quiet and comfortable home for its residents, Geiling also said.
In 1992, Higginson was named "Man of the Year" in Long Beach, and in 1993, both he and his wife were awarded the Humanitarian Award by the California Conference for Equality and Justice.
According to Higginson, both he and his wife were very social minded people.
"...My wife is just as active in the community as I am...," he said in the Tribune article.
"I'm not sure why we're so active in the community. Maybe we feel some obligation or maybe we like getting to know so many people. It just makes it a real hometown for us. We like Long Beach a lot."
He and his wife enjoyed attending local art productions, Musical Theater West and the Long Beach Symphony.
"He loved the arts, theater, music, etc.," Nancy said.
And he was a beloved family man, she said.
"He was a great role model to his four sons and was very supportive to the whole family," she said.
Among his many other community activities, Higginson was vice president of the Long Beach Civic Opera, served on the executive board of the Long Beach Chapter of the Boys Scouts of America and served as trustee of St. Mary Medical Center, Long Beach City College Foundation, United Way and Long Beach Symphony.
Higginson was a military man through-and-through, his wife said. This was evident in everything he did.
"He loved his military career," she said. "Service to his country was a fundamental part of who he was."
He is survived by his wife, his sons, Robert, Mark, Patrick and Paul and seven grandchildren.
A memorial service has not yet been scheduled.
Long Beach Press-Telegram
"John was a kind, loving leader who had a passion for service to his country as well as his community," said his wife of 52 years, Nancy.
Higginson died Tuesday. He was 77.
Originally from East St. Louis, Higginson attended community college in Illinois and went on to attend St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas, where he met his wife.
"She was working in the registrar's office at St. Mary's and had the pick of several thousand guys; it was a guy's-only school at the time. And she picked me," he said in an article in the Signal Tribune Newspaper in 2008.
Higginson was commissioned in the Navy in 1956. He was a Naval Aviator flying helicopters and held several command positions. He also taught environmental science at the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Naval War College.
Higginson was later transferred to a ship that was the primary recovery ship for the next Apollo mission where he participated in the recovery operations for Apollos 8, 11, 12, 13 and 15.
In 1986, after 30 years of service, the Navy sent Higginson to Long Beach, where he seved as Commander Naval Surface Group, Long Beach.
After retiring in March 1990, Higginson steered clear of the rest and relaxation that usually comes with retirement.
He served as president of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce for two years and 15 years as president and chief executive officer of the American Gold Star Manor, a charitable, nonprofit corporation that provides affordable housing for Gold Star Mothers, veterans and eligible seniors.
"Admiral Higginson used the many leadership skills he developed in the U.S. Navy to effectively manage the American Gold Star Manor," said Terry Geiling in the Tribune interview. Geiling took over as president after Higginson's retirement.
Under the Admiral's guidance, the Manor prospered and provided a quiet and comfortable home for its residents, Geiling also said.
In 1992, Higginson was named "Man of the Year" in Long Beach, and in 1993, both he and his wife were awarded the Humanitarian Award by the California Conference for Equality and Justice.
According to Higginson, both he and his wife were very social minded people.
"...My wife is just as active in the community as I am...," he said in the Tribune article.
"I'm not sure why we're so active in the community. Maybe we feel some obligation or maybe we like getting to know so many people. It just makes it a real hometown for us. We like Long Beach a lot."
He and his wife enjoyed attending local art productions, Musical Theater West and the Long Beach Symphony.
"He loved the arts, theater, music, etc.," Nancy said.
And he was a beloved family man, she said.
"He was a great role model to his four sons and was very supportive to the whole family," she said.
Among his many other community activities, Higginson was vice president of the Long Beach Civic Opera, served on the executive board of the Long Beach Chapter of the Boys Scouts of America and served as trustee of St. Mary Medical Center, Long Beach City College Foundation, United Way and Long Beach Symphony.
Higginson was a military man through-and-through, his wife said. This was evident in everything he did.
"He loved his military career," she said. "Service to his country was a fundamental part of who he was."
He is survived by his wife, his sons, Robert, Mark, Patrick and Paul and seven grandchildren.
A memorial service has not yet been scheduled.
Long Beach Press-Telegram
LONG BEACH - Retired Navy Rear Adm. John Higginson loved being Long Beach's Admiral. So, after 34 years in the Navy, he continued to lead, serving as president of the Chamber of Commerce and the American Gold Star Manor and Home.
"John was a kind, loving leader who had a passion for service to his country as well as his community," said his wife of 52 years, Nancy.
Higginson died Tuesday. He was 77.
Originally from East St. Louis, Higginson attended community college in Illinois and went on to attend St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas, where he met his wife.
"She was working in the registrar's office at St. Mary's and had the pick of several thousand guys; it was a guy's-only school at the time. And she picked me," he said in an article in the Signal Tribune Newspaper in 2008.
Higginson was commissioned in the Navy in 1956. He was a Naval Aviator flying helicopters and held several command positions. He also taught environmental science at the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Naval War College.
Higginson was later transferred to a ship that was the primary recovery ship for the next Apollo mission where he participated in the recovery operations for Apollos 8, 11, 12, 13 and 15.
In 1986, after 30 years of service, the Navy sent Higginson to Long Beach, where he seved as Commander Naval Surface Group, Long Beach.
After retiring in March 1990, Higginson steered clear of the rest and relaxation that usually comes with retirement.
He served as president of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce for two years and 15 years as president and chief executive officer of the American Gold Star Manor, a charitable, nonprofit corporation that provides affordable housing for Gold Star Mothers, veterans and eligible seniors.
"Admiral Higginson used the many leadership skills he developed in the U.S. Navy to effectively manage the American Gold Star Manor," said Terry Geiling in the Tribune interview. Geiling took over as president after Higginson's retirement.
Under the Admiral's guidance, the Manor prospered and provided a quiet and comfortable home for its residents, Geiling also said.
In 1992, Higginson was named "Man of the Year" in Long Beach, and in 1993, both he and his wife were awarded the Humanitarian Award by the California Conference for Equality and Justice.
According to Higginson, both he and his wife were very social minded people.
"...My wife is just as active in the community as I am...," he said in the Tribune article.
"I'm not sure why we're so active in the community. Maybe we feel some obligation or maybe we like getting to know so many people. It just makes it a real hometown for us. We like Long Beach a lot."
He and his wife enjoyed attending local art productions, Musical Theater West and the Long Beach Symphony.
"He loved the arts, theater, music, etc.," Nancy said.
And he was a beloved family man, she said.
"He was a great role model to his four sons and was very supportive to the whole family," she said.
Among his many other community activities, Higginson was vice president of the Long Beach Civic Opera, served on the executive board of the Long Beach Chapter of the Boys Scouts of America and served as trustee of St. Mary Medical Center, Long Beach City College Foundation, United Way and Long Beach Symphony.
Higginson was a military man through-and-through, his wife said. This was evident in everything he did.
"He loved his military career," she said. "Service to his country was a fundamental part of who he was."
He is survived by his wife, his sons, Robert, Mark, Patrick and Paul and seven grandchildren.
A memorial service has not yet been scheduled.
Long Beach Press-Telegram
"John was a kind, loving leader who had a passion for service to his country as well as his community," said his wife of 52 years, Nancy.
Higginson died Tuesday. He was 77.
Originally from East St. Louis, Higginson attended community college in Illinois and went on to attend St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas, where he met his wife.
"She was working in the registrar's office at St. Mary's and had the pick of several thousand guys; it was a guy's-only school at the time. And she picked me," he said in an article in the Signal Tribune Newspaper in 2008.
Higginson was commissioned in the Navy in 1956. He was a Naval Aviator flying helicopters and held several command positions. He also taught environmental science at the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Naval War College.
Higginson was later transferred to a ship that was the primary recovery ship for the next Apollo mission where he participated in the recovery operations for Apollos 8, 11, 12, 13 and 15.
In 1986, after 30 years of service, the Navy sent Higginson to Long Beach, where he seved as Commander Naval Surface Group, Long Beach.
After retiring in March 1990, Higginson steered clear of the rest and relaxation that usually comes with retirement.
He served as president of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce for two years and 15 years as president and chief executive officer of the American Gold Star Manor, a charitable, nonprofit corporation that provides affordable housing for Gold Star Mothers, veterans and eligible seniors.
"Admiral Higginson used the many leadership skills he developed in the U.S. Navy to effectively manage the American Gold Star Manor," said Terry Geiling in the Tribune interview. Geiling took over as president after Higginson's retirement.
Under the Admiral's guidance, the Manor prospered and provided a quiet and comfortable home for its residents, Geiling also said.
In 1992, Higginson was named "Man of the Year" in Long Beach, and in 1993, both he and his wife were awarded the Humanitarian Award by the California Conference for Equality and Justice.
According to Higginson, both he and his wife were very social minded people.
"...My wife is just as active in the community as I am...," he said in the Tribune article.
"I'm not sure why we're so active in the community. Maybe we feel some obligation or maybe we like getting to know so many people. It just makes it a real hometown for us. We like Long Beach a lot."
He and his wife enjoyed attending local art productions, Musical Theater West and the Long Beach Symphony.
"He loved the arts, theater, music, etc.," Nancy said.
And he was a beloved family man, she said.
"He was a great role model to his four sons and was very supportive to the whole family," she said.
Among his many other community activities, Higginson was vice president of the Long Beach Civic Opera, served on the executive board of the Long Beach Chapter of the Boys Scouts of America and served as trustee of St. Mary Medical Center, Long Beach City College Foundation, United Way and Long Beach Symphony.
Higginson was a military man through-and-through, his wife said. This was evident in everything he did.
"He loved his military career," she said. "Service to his country was a fundamental part of who he was."
He is survived by his wife, his sons, Robert, Mark, Patrick and Paul and seven grandchildren.
A memorial service has not yet been scheduled.
Long Beach Press-Telegram
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