Robert F. Higman

Date of Death: January 13, 2010

Robert F. Higman, 84
Robert F. Higman, 84, of West Lafayette, died at 7:09 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010, at Home Hospital.
He was born Jan. 29, 1925, in Tippecanoe County, he was the son of the late Newton and Ruth Kirkpatrick Higman. He graduated from Romney High School.
On Aug. 25 1946, he Married Patricia J. Newton. She died Nov. 4, 2000.
Mr. Higman was a farmer and race car bulider and owner. He was inducted into the National Midget Hall of Fame in 1995. He won three USAC titles as owner/chief mechanic, with drivers Bob Wente in 1963, Mike McGreevy in 1966 and Larry Rice in 1973. He also was a chief mechanic on several cars at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He served on the USAC board of directors between 1961 and 1970, and after that was on the safety board and a variety of competition commissions. In 1973, he was presented with USAC&s Jim Blunk Award for contributions to midget car racing. In 1998, he received the Eddie Edenburn Award.
Surviving are a daughter, Linda Higman Newkirk of Lafayette ; a son, Jeff Higman of Lafayette; and a sister, Marilyn Vehslage of Bloomington.
Also surviving are grandchildren, Tina Wolf (husband: Mike) of West Point and Sara Newkirk of Los Angeles, Calif.; great-grandchildren, Bryce and Devin Wolf; and a stepgrandson, Chris. Preceded in death by a sister, Lily Devault; and a brother, Kirk Higman. Also surviving are nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was a loving and giving Dad and Grandpa. He especially enjoyed this past Christmas with his Great Grandsons.
Visitation will be 3-8 p.m. Jan. 20, 2010, at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd. Visitation 1 hour prior to the funeral service at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010, at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, Tim Spillman and Rich McQuinn officiating. Interment Elmwood Cemetery. Those wishing may contribute to the Robert F. Higman Memorial Fund, C/O Lafayette Savings Bank, 101 Main St., Lafayette, IN. 47901. 765-742-1064. Online condolences send to www.soller-baker.com

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Hello:

I am so sorry to hear about Bob. I just read about it in Speed Sport News. I am so sorry I didn&t know about it until now. I would have been there as I was a big fan and friend of Bob&s. I got a Christmas card form him this year and was hoping to see him.

Please except my condolences and If it had been in the Indy Star I would have known before now.

I will miss him as I know you will.

Jimmie Garner

Bob was simply one of the nicest persons I&ve ever known. He always had a cheerful greeting at the race tracks we visted every weekend. My wife Martha and I count ourselves very fortunate to have known such a wonderful human being. I&m really going to miss his smiling face this season and for many to come.

Happy Trails, Bob!

John Mahoney
USAC Photographer

We are sorry for your loss.
Your dad was a big part of our lives from 1971 to 1978. He helped us make my father in law (Harry Ammerman) and my husband (Larry Ammerman) racing dreams come true. We where able to run with the USAC group.
We owned the midge # 49 That Jerry Howe, and later Ron Eden drove.
We also sold racing fuel to make end meet.
We are just one of the many racing team he helped.
That was a fun time and the memories are great.

Thanks Bob your memory will live on in our hearts and minds.

Sincerely
Larry & Wanda Ammerman

Dear Linda, Jeff, Tina & Sara, We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your father/grandfather. We were hoping to get to Lafayette tonitght after church choir practice but we couldn&t run the risk of falling on black ice. We were in Greenwood area babysitting our grandson all day as we usually do on Wednesday. It was getting slick when we left Angela"s house at 4:45. Once again we are so sorry that we couldn&t offer our sympathy face to face. We will be praying for you all. With Our Sincere Sympathy, Gary & Connie Meek

We have lost a great man. Bob and Pat were a huge part of our lives for so many years because Dad (Seaweed) nearly lived at Higmans! A special person, Bob was alway upbeat with a smile on his face. When Dad was in his last days in the hospital, Bob called him on the phone and said he had a car ready and was he ready to go! It was probably the only time Dad didn&t say yes but he was sure glad to get the phone call.

My thoughts and prayers are with Linda and Jeff and all of the extended family as you mourn the loss and celebrate the life of Bob.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Bob was one of the best and really helped me along in my racing career as he did may others. He will be missed.

Dear Linda & family, so sorry to read about your Dad& passing. We always had so much fun at your house with your Mom & Dad. You had such great parties. You are in my thoughts & prayers, Ann.

Bob and I send our deepest sympathy to you, Linda, and your family. I remember when your dad took us into the garage and showed us the race car he worked on after the 500-mile race one year. I can&t remember the year but it was in the early 1960&s, I think. Our thoughts are with you. Sincerely, Roberta and Bob Stewart

Sorry to hear about Bob. We know how hard it is to lose a parent. It&s been hard on Dad since Mom passed away in September. We live together now and it makes it easier. Take care and keep in touch. Debbie and Ed

I am sorry for your loss. I remember Bob in his shop and at tracks with the Midgets. He was one of the best midget builders in the business. He was always giving advice to anyone that wanted it and knew racing from the rubber on the track to the shine on the helmets. Thank you Bob for the wonderful memories.

Dear Higman Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Your father was a wonderful man. I loved talking with him and hearing his many stories. He was so kind and caring. You could see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice as he spoke to you. He will be greatly missed. I wish I could be there to say goodbye. I send a special hug to Jeff Higman. Stay strong friend and god bless.
Sincerely,
Tonya Snoeberger-Shoemaker

Thoughts and prayers to family, Robert you will be missed.
Gus Kull

Our deepest condolences to your family in your time of loss. Bob was a dear neighbor for the short time he lived next to us. I will always remember my fist trip to the Hut100 with Bob. I have loved Midgets ever since. He always had a bright smile on his face and everyone loved him. Everytime I saw him he always asked me how my kids were doing first, always knew he cared. Just as everyone loved him; everyone will miss Bob - a part of American Racing History!

YOU MADE ME A WINNER !! Thanks Bob.

Through all of my 27 years of racing, there was one guy who made me go faster. Bob did that by being the best mechanic in the world, by being super careful and safe, and by always giving me the top notch equipment.

But he was even more than that. He was a true friend, a great teacher, and always took time for me when I needed it. I remember a race in Anderson, Sun Valley in our day. It was a big one, three races, each 33 laps. He busted his rear to get the car ready, had no sleep at all the night before, made it and I knew I just had to do well. I won the first race, threw a timing belt in the second, called Bob about 9 PM. He took off his PJ&s, drove to Anderson, timed the car, got the belt on and we won the third race.

He was one of the most fun people to travel with I have ever known.

Good Luck Bob, may God speed, and I&ll be seeing you upstairs in the not too distant future.

Ron

So sorry for the loss of Bob. He was a great man and held so many of us close to his heart. He will truly be missed by all of us who loved him dearly.

Jane Faurote

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.