Ervin Arnold Higgins
May 5, 1930 - Dec 9, 2014
Posted by Janet Laubhan Flickinger

http://www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com/

Arnold was born May 5, 1930 in Norman, OK to Albert Ervin and Vivian Arnold Higgins. Until the age of thirteen he was known as “Buddy”. He graduated from Norman High School in 1948. While there, he participated in both band and chorus. He was president of the Norman Christian Youth Association for two years. He was also a soloist for the Norman Vesper Choir. In 1948, he entered the University of Oklahoma with a scholarship in vocal music. In August, 1950 his National Guard Unit was called to active duty. He rose from the rank of Rct(E-1) to Sgt(E-5) in 13 months. He attended basic training at Ft. Polk, LA and graduated from the Surgical Technician School at Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX. He then served in Japan and Korea during the Korea conflict.
Upon discharge from the Army, he returned to continue his studies at OU and on August 16, 1952 he married the love of his life, Betty Bryant. They had an unusually successful marriage. Upon completion of his BS degree from OU, he accepted a commission as 2nd Lt. in the Army National Guard and remained active in the Guard and Army Reserves until July 1983. At the time of his retirement from the Reserves, he was serving as the Executive Officer of the 44th Evacuation Hospital. He graduated from the Officers’ Basic Course and Advanced Course for Medical Service Corps Officers. He was also proud to have been a graduate of the Army’s Command and General Staff College.
After graduating with his BS degree, he taught high school science in public schools for six years and then returned to graduate school. He was the recipient of the four National Science Foundation Fellowships and one National Institutes of Health Fellowship. He attended OU, Vanderbilt University and the Ohio State University. In Dec., 1965 he received his phD degree in Zoology, with a major in Physiology and a minor in Biochemistry. He was employed as a research physiologist at the Civil Aeromedical Institute from July 1962 to December 1990. He retired as Assistant Director of Research. While there, he authored fifty research papers, published in National and International Journals.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Cynthia Sue Higgins; a daughter-in-law, Catherine Sue Higgins; and a son-in-law, Larry Heister.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Betty; two sons, Rodney of Norman and Jeffrey of University Heights, OH; one daughter, Kathleen Heister of Norman; two grandsons, Jacob Aaron Heister and his wife, Rebecca of Moore, OK,  Zachary Higgins of Norman, two granddaughters, Andrea Louise Heister of Norman, and Emily Elizabeth Higgins of Bowling Green, OH; and great-granddaughter Lily Heister of Moore, OK.

Arnold attended the First Baptist Church of Norman from age 6. He was baptized there at age 12 and he and his wife Betty were married there in 1952.

Services for Arnold are 10:00AM, Saturday, December 13, 2014 at Havenbrook Funeral Home Chapel, 3401 Havenbrook St. Norman, OK.

Interment will follow at IOOF Cemetery in Norman, OK.

Thank You For Your Service!