We
write to announce the death of our father, James T. Higgins Jr., MD.
Throughout his long life, he was dedicated to medical research,
education and practice. In his work and in his leisure, Jim was
committed to nature and conservation, equity and inclusion, and civil
rights. In the home, he was a supportive spouse, father and
grandfather.
In
the laboratory, Jim made major contributions to medical science. The
scientists who work unremarked by the public build the foundations
for future advances, and that is very true for our dad’s research.
He studied how membranes regulate the transport of materials in and
out of the cell and applied this knowledge to early kidney dialysis
and transplant experiments, contributing to the foundational
knowledge needed for modern renal patient care. He was concerned to
the end about how the cuts to science and health funding are
destroying opportunities to improve our knowledge and challenging
future health care for all.
Practicing
and teaching at medical schools for more than 40 years, Jim enriched
others’ lives by teaching, mentoring and collaborating with
generations of younger medical professionals. He dedicated himself to
public service in medicine by volunteering at inner city health
clinics and only practicing at public hospitals, from Indianapolis to
the Albany, N.Y., VA. His joy in medical science continued to the
end, as he chatted, joked and quizzed the doctors, nurses and
technicians providing care during his final illness.
Outside
of the lab and clinic, Jim’s primary hobby was woodworking. By the
time he retired, he and Mom had built their dream house on the side
of a mountain in upstate New York, where, when not working on the
house, they took long walks in the woods. Together, they did all the
interior wood and tile work. When living in such rural isolation was
no longer safe, they moved to Burlington, Vt., to be closer to
family.
He
and Mom had a rich, 69-year-long marriage, raising four children who
were each successful in their ways, and he accepted that their
children’s choices were different from theirs. The success of their
children is reflected in the five grandchildren, again each different
and unique in their own life choices. When Mom developed Alzheimer’s,
Jim dedicated himself to her care, and he did not stop fighting death
until satisfied of her continued care and safety.
Jim
kept his wits to the end, nine days shy of 91, and in that manner was
granted what might be the ultimate piece of good fortune: the ability
to choose when and how he wanted to die. He passed away peacefully,
surrounded by family, at 6:05 p.m. on July 4, at University of
Vermont Medical College in Burlington, Vt. He is survived by spouse
Laurel Higgins; children Linden, Tom, Chandler and John;
grandchildren Haley, Lauren, Gailin, Mynard and Rebekah;
step-grandchildren Jonathon and Ashleigh; and great-granddaughter
Penelope.