Jacob Kirkpatrick Higgs

Jacob Kirkpatrick Higgs died July 13, 2013 at his home in Thomasville, Georgia. A private interment was held for family and a celebration of his life will be held at his home for family and close friends on July 16th. Jacob Higgs was the son of James E. Kirkpatrick and Helene H. Kirkpatrick. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Jacob Wilson Higgs, and his sister, Sarah K. Kavanaugh. Born in Greenville, NC, November 21, 1933, Jake grew up there and attended Greenville schools. In 1953, Jake married his high school sweetheart, Mary Ann Smoot. He served four years in the US Air Force from 1953-1957, including stations in England and North Africa. He graduated from Duke University with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Upon graduation from college, Jake worked for Hazeltine Corporation, Long Island, NY, for five years. He and his family moved to Concord, NH, in 1966 where he worked for 35 years as a design engineer at Sprague Electric Company. He became a premier expert in Hall Effect Devices, sharing his expertise on this subject worldwide and earning seven US patents for his work. Jake was an accomplished multi-sport athlete and sports enthusiast. He played football, basketball and golf in high school, scoring his first hole-in-one his senior year. In his early thirties, he started playing tennis so he could teach the game to his children. He went on earn the NH State Doubles Championship title. He cultivated a love of sports and physical wellbeing in all his children. Cycling was also a favorite pastime. Long before distance cycling became popular in America, Jake rode the 120 miles from Concord, NH, to Williamstown, MA, for his daughter's Parents' Weekend at Williams College. Thereafter, for each of the four years his son attended St. George's School, Jake cycled the 139 miles from Concord to Newport, RI, for Parents' Weekend. He and his children enjoyed long and memorable bike trips together. In his 60's, Jake returned to golf, where he resumed his study of the game and enjoyed playing daily, scoring three additional holes-in-one. Jake was a teacher and enjoyed coaching young players, encouraging them to become thoughtful students of their own game. Whether practicing or playing competitively, Jake's approach to life was scholarly in nature. He was blessed by an exquisitely sharp mind and a gentle heart. Never daunted by the uphill climbs, he was always humble and self-effacing about his accomplishments, enjoying challenges and taking them in stride as he did his life. He is survived by his wife of 60 years; three daughters, Elizabeth Newton Joseph of Lafayette, CA, Mary Thomas aka Kira Higgs of Portland, OR, Laura Furber Thomas of Montpelier, VT, and a son, John Shaw Higgs of Concord, NH; three granddaughters, Stasia and Alyssa Furber and Sasha Newton; and a nephew, Dr. Patrick Kavanaugh Alison of Chapel Hill, NC. The family expresses profound gratitude to Bethany Hospice in Valdosta, GA for their medical professionalism and generosity of spirit in their care for him and the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to pancreatic cancer research through the Lustgarten Foundation www.lustgarten.org or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network www.pancan.org . Friends and family are invited to sign the online guest register at www.allenfh.com