Robert Higgins Everson

Robert "Bob" Higgins Everson, 88, passed away on October 22, 2026, in Edmond, Oklahoma. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, on March 8, 1938 to Alfred Hall and Rachel Higgins Everson. He graduated from Colgate University in 1959 and was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force. His first assignment was as an intelligence officer at Bergstrom AFB in Austin, Texas, where he met Marian Wimberly, a University of Texas graduate. They married in July, 1961, and one month later moved to Yokota AFB, Japan. From there he served temporary duty in Korea, the Philippines, and Singapore, and spent an extended time in Vietnam in 1962. He loved spending free time coaching the base children's swim team of more than 135 swimmers, ages 7 to 17. Bob resigned his Air Force commission in 1964 after learning that a recent back surgery prevented him from flying.

After several years in different jobs, he found his calling in 1971 designing and building homes, and spent nearly four decades building family residences, remodeling, and developing, mostly in Edmond. He was named Builder of the Year in 1983, served as president and lifetime director of the Central Oklahoma Home Builders' Association, and was a lifetime director of the National Association of Home Builders. He also worked with the City of Edmond on many committees and co-chaired the campaign for Edmond's first sales tax, which supported the city's growth. He retired in 2008.

Bob and Marian traveled to all 50 states and over 50 countries with Australia being his favorite destination. Having spent his summers at the family cottage off the coast of Connecticut, he developed a deep love of the water which continued throughout his life. He spent many happy years boating with friends on Lake Texoma and in the British Virgin Islands. Bob was an active member of the U.S. Power and Sail Squadron and rose to Commander of the Oklahoma City squadron. Later, he turned to Corvettes and as a member of the Central Oklahoma Corvette Club served as the Edmond Car Show Chairman and became a life member of the National Corvette Museum. His Corvette took them across the country, to Niagara Falls, South Dakota, and Florida, among many other places. He remained very active after retirement, golfing multiple times per week and enjoying time with his close friends in the ROMEOS (Retired Old Men Eating Out) Lunch Club and WBC (Wednesday Breakfast Club). His final years were spent at Touchmark in Edmond, surrounded by many friends.

He loved his church, spending time with his family, and the many friends, both old and new, that he was blessed to have. Bob is survived by Marian, "the love of his life" and his wife of 65 years; his daughter Rachel Anne and wife Jackie of Playas, Ecuador; his son Robert Jr. (Bob) and wife Cindy of Coppell, Texas; and his grandson Robert III (Trey) of New York City. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and one sister.

A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, October 28, at 2 p.m. at St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church, 14700 N. May Ave., Oklahoma City. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the church.