The news that Dick Higgins, a resident of Bend who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor, had gone away early on Tuesday morning at the age of 102 was shared by his family, who expressed their sorrow while also expressing themselves in gratitude. It is with each passing day, week, and year that his public appearances and first-person recollections of that terrible day – December 7, 1941 – become more and more remarkable.
Late on Tuesday morning, his family shared with NewsChannel 21 that Gramps breathed his last breath at 1:42 a.m., which was the time of his passing. Angela Norton, his granddaughter, was present at the time of his dying.
Higgins and Angela Norton shared a family home as well as a great deal of unique possibilities and experiences. A post on Instagram was taken by the family in order to engage with the community. The post included the following information: When Grandma went to be with Jesus in his home, it was this morning when she moved there. He was a humble, generous, amusing, and kind guy in addition to being a spouse, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. He was also a great grandfather. Because of the impact that he has had on each and every one of us, our community has acknowledged and celebrated him, and we will be grateful for the rest of our lives for the impact that he has had on us.
Even though we have lost a significant piece of history at the age of 102, we are aware that this is not the end since he had confidence in Jesus. This is despite the fact that we have lost a significant portion of history. We can’t wait until one day we are able to find you again. We have adored you, Gramps, even from the beginning of everlasting time.
Eastmont Church, which can be found at 62425 Eagle Road, will be the location of a public memorial service that will take place on Thursday, March 28 at 11 a.m., according to a statement that was made by the family on Tuesday. A military service with full honors is expected to take place at Deschutes Memorial Gardens, which can be found at 63875 N. Highway 97. This will be followed by a parade to the location of the service.
The plans for an honor flight that will depart from Portland International Airport on Saturday, March 30th, and arrive in Orange County, Southern California, are now being finalized. This flight will depart from Portland International Airport.
He will be placed to rest there close to his wife of sixty years, Winnie Ruth, who will also be laid to rest there. In addition to this, the family of Higgins desired that everyone who attended the memorial ceremony for him do so while dressed in Hawaiian clothing as a way to pay tribute to his life. In place of the more typical floral tributes, the family is requesting that donations be sent to the Bend Band of Brothers organizations.
Higgins, who had only recently begun receiving hospice care, was honored at a number of different local events and occasions over the course of the past few years on multiple occasions. Drive-by parades filled with joy were part of these celebrations, which took place at the home that he shared with his granddaughter and her husband, Angela and Ryan, as well as their family.
During his attendance at yet another one-of-a-kind Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day commemoration on December 7 of this year, he was also hailed as a distinguished and honored guest by the students and staff of Bend Senior High School, in addition to being honored by other veterans. In the course of City Councilor Anthony Broadman’s reading of the city’s proclamation of “Dick Higgins Day,” a significant number of children personally expressed their gratitude to him for his service and presented him with the opportunity to take photographs with them.
