Bob Higgins, former Joplin postmaster, dies at 98

Bob Higgins, known for his leadership and generous support for the Joplin community, passed away Thursday, April 2.

A graduate of Joplin Junior College, he served as an Air Force pilot during WWII and later as Joplin’s postmaster from 1973-86.

Higgins was a Kiwanis member, a former board member for the Joplin Family Y and Freeman Health System, and helped create the local Children’s Miracle Network chapter. He served as a Cub Scout Master at Irving School, as a member of the Financial Bank Board and helped raise funds for the Eagles News Youth Center. In 1990, he was recognized as Joplin’s Citizen of the Year.

He was a former member of Missouri Southern’s Board of Regents and in 1968 became a founding member of the Lionbackers. In 1974, he was named Outstanding Alumnus at Missouri Southern.

He served on the Missouri Council on Public Higher Education from 1971-79.

In 2018, he created a $100,000 endowment, the Bob & Bea Higgins Nursing Scholarship, at Missouri Southern to help registered nurses continue their professional development with a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Bob Higgins was 98 years old.