Dale Gilmore Higman
September 12, 1937 - November 7, 2009
Obituary
Dale Gilmore Higman
1937-2009
Dale fought a hard yet courageous battle with cancer for the past year and passed in his sleep on November 7 at the age of 72. Dale was born in Seattle, Washington on September 12, 1937, in the home of his parents, Cecil and Dorothy Higman. He was the seventh child of eight; five boys and three girls.
Dale spent most of his life in the Seattle area, although he loved to explore new ideas and adventures which led him to places like Alaska, Canada and as far away as China. He loved the mountains, was an avid hunter, and loved to fish. His second home was AElk Camp@ in the eastern Cascades where he welcomed friends and family to his camp every fall for over forty years.
He leaves behind his children, Debra, Diane, Dean, Denee, David, Cinnamon, and stepson Christopher; fifteen grandchildren; his siblings Vern, Jean, Marcella, Gordon, Joan, and Gary, as well as multitudes of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother Arthur. He will be deeply missed by all who shared in his life.
His children would like to express the utmost gratitude to Dale’s niece Leslie and her husband Eric for their loving care and support of Dale during his illness until the very end. A memorial will be held at Bonney Watson Funeral Home in Burien, Washington on Saturday, November 14, at 1:00 p.m.
me: “hi Dad” …him: “hey Kid”
That has pre-empted our conversations for 15+ years. Although the intermittent visits we had-you coming up for Roman’s birth and me coming down there periodically, the majority of the relationship has been over the phone. That has never disqualified the bonding we had. I will always have memories of the Father & Daughter GirlScout Dinner that you came up to Alaska for, the times on the Defiance, summers spending time with my cousins & siblings while down there, Disneyland, China and so much more. Most of all….the nightly phone calls several most every night where you may have fallen asleep and I had to yell or hang up to get you off the phone, just talking about the days’ events or simply to say goodnight. I will miss those nitely conversations forevermore. You did not deserve to go so quickly but I have to…I HAVE to believe that you are watching down upon me with Mom by your side and that I WILL see you and her again and you will say “hey Kid”
My fondest memory of Uncle Dale is at one of Grandpa Verne’s birthday parties, Tim and I and my son Colton who was about 3, maybe 4 at the time met up with Uncle Dale picking oysters on the beach, Papa Tim takes one cracks it open and slurps one down. My son asks Papa Tim and Uncle Dale if he could have one. Colton ended up eating about 5 right there on the beach…may I add RAW! He was Uncle Dale’s best friend the entire nite, sitting next to him at the fire pit watching Dale shucking oysters waiting for his next oyster treat. I don’t think Colton left his side the entire night! Our hearts go out to the entire Higman family we will miss Uncle Dale.
thanks for all the wonderful memories.Summers with Cinnamon at your pool, all day getting sun burned, letting us swim in the dark,laughing til it hurt, taking us out to eat,letting us eat junk and when we were old enough, driving your car til the clutch burned out.Most importantly always having open arms to give hugs and kisses and saying,” Hi kid”!
I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE YOU FOR AN UNCLE.
I WELL MISS YA,LOOKING BACK OVER THE YEARS CANADA, HOODS CANAL AND BURIEN. THE FUN WE HAD AND ALL THE GREAT MEMORIES.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
I will always remember dad for inspiring our creativity and imaginations. He will always be in my heart.
Love always and Forever his daughter,
Deneé Higman Kaveny
To the old man even when he was”nt old, we have so many memories of camping, boating, and who could forget China. And who could forget Alaska? We lived, loved, and laughed, you”ll forever be in our prayers, and We have faith we”ll see you in a bright shiny new world. aLL Our love, Ron, Deb, and family
Cousin Dale you were a legend to your younger cousins. I’ll miss stories about the adventures in China, and always having the positive attitude that their is always another business deal right around the corner. I’ll miss the part where you would tell stories of rememberance of my family that has passed away. I hope your children realize. What a really free spirited dad they had.
Too many for a 1000 character paragraph. May God Bless You.
Miss ya and love ya uncle.
It’s been a very long time since I’ve seen Dale,Dean and all the other family members and I’m so very sorry to hear about Dale’s passing.I remember when I was a little girl I lived on the end of the block from Dale & Marilyn with the kids,I was always up at their house ,I was like part of the family I love being with them!! I am so very sorry and hope to make it to the services. Dean,Chris,David & Cinnimon your all in my prayers.
I’m very sorry for the whole Higman Family I know it’s a hugh loss for you all!!! Lots of Love to all!!Hugs