Hugh Bynum Higginbotham M.D.'s Obituary
Hugh Bynum Higginbotham M.D., 89, of Fayetteville, passed away on November 21st, at Willard Walker Hospice Center.
Hugh was born November 8th, 1934, in the small town of Senath, Missouri, where he spent his early years. He developed his work ethic as a young boy picking cotton during his elementary school days. Later, his family settled in the St. Louis area where he completed high school. During that time, he also earned the rank of Eagle Scout. After high school, he attended the University of Missouri where he joined the ROTC and was commissioned as lieutenant upon completion of his bachelor’s degree in botany. He went on to earn a master’s degree in microbiology, and an MD from the University of Missouri medical school where he graduated with honors and was a member pf Phi Beta Kappa. Hugh completed his internship and residency in internal medicine, and his fellowship in cardiology before returning to active duty as a captain.
During his residency and cardiology fellowship, Hugh and his first wife adopted their eldest daughter, Susan, in 1962. His second adopted daughter, Stacy, came while in his active Army service in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, in 1964. During his war time service at Fort Leonard Wood, he served as head cardiologist, helped to develop the ICU at Fort Leonard Wood, and was instrumental in developing the Army’s procedures for managing meningitis. Shortly before his discharge and the move to Fayetteville, he and his wife adopted their son, Jon, in 1967.
Dr. Higginbotham’s medical career encompassed 60 years. Hugh joined the Fayetteville Diagnostic Clinic (FDC) upon arriving in Fayetteville in 1967. Between 1967 and his initial retirement in 1998, he practiced at the FDC, served multiple terms as the Chief of Staff at Washington Regional Medical Center, and served as the Chief of Staff of Fayetteville City Hospital. He came out of retirement and served another 14 years with Washington Regional Medical Center reading EKG’s and providing personalized follow-up with his colleagues. In 2019, the Washington Regional Medical Foundation honored Dr. Higginbotham with the Eagle Award for his contributions to improving healthcare in Northwest Arkansas.
Dr. Higginbotham passed peacefully with family at his bedside. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Janice Irene Shores Higginbotham, and is survived by his current wife of 43 years Donna Dee Flowers Higginbotham, his daughters Susan Powell, Stacy Walker, Tracy Wheeler, and son Jon Higginbotham. Dr. Higginbotham is also survived by five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life for Dr. Higginbotham is planned for Thursday, January 18th, 2024, at 2 pm at Central United Methodist Church which is located at 6 West Dickson Street in Fayetteville. There will be a short service followed by a time for sharing memories.
Gifts can be designated to Dr. Higginbotham’s memory by making a gift to:
Washington Regional Medical Foundation
P.O. Box 356
Fayetteville, AR 72702
Online at www.wregional.com
Christ Church of NWA
P.O. Box 10798
Fayetteville, AR 72703
https://christnwa.church/online-giving/
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