From an old family friend

Stann posted this in the comments section, but it's so lovely that we wanted to put it up front. Thank you, Stann.

I have thought about Dr. Higano a lot during the past few days and have realized that I cannot do justice in this forum to my feelings for him. I have had an immense amount of respect for his kindness and gentleness as a human being, and for his competence and caring as a doctor. I was fortunate to be able to interact with him in many different ways – I met him and knew him first as a person, then as an employee, and then as someone cared for by him. In each role, his innate sense of humanity shone through and guided his actions. As a physician, he visited patients at their home and in long-term care facilities, long after these visits ceased being the norm among his colleagues. I remember his “half days” of office appointments stretching easily to eight hours because of patient’s needs – usually after he had already spent time at the hospital working in his lab. He was up and out early and home late.

Dr. Higano’s thoughtfulness was not limited to his work. When he was already physically impaired, Dr. Higano made a tremendous effort to attend my son’s Bar Mitzvah. Even though he was already weak with limited mobility, and he had to come a long distance, he marshaled his energy and participated in this event. My family will never forget the example of caring and strength he demonstrated by coming.

Dr. Higano had many interests outside of medicine. He was a proud photographer and calligrapher. He also made the best mashed potatoes on the eastern seaboard. Of course he might have been helped had he had an electric spoon, but that’s another story. Most of all, I think Dr. Higano was most proud of his children and grandchildren – of their independence and who they were. You could see this pride and his happiness whenever he was visited and family discussions turned to skiing, medicine, writing, restaurants, bicycling, colleges, politics, how to use the latest gadget, how to carve the turkey, football - it didn’t make any difference as long as his family was there.

Finally, Dr. Higano touched my life personally in a very, very special way. I cannot put into words the depth of my appreciation to Dr. and Mrs. Higano when they rescued me from a forced stay in a nursing home for recuperation from a bad car accident. They took me into their home for several months until I was physically able to return home to finish getting well. They also looked out for my mother throughout this crisis. In this, Dr. and Mrs. Higano not only showed their humanity, but also how much of their wonderful qualities rubbed off on their family. Tia, Prilla, and Stuart didn’t simply put up with me in their parents’ home – rather I always felt welcomed as part of the family. The sharing of that caring attitude must have come from the example of their parents. This is a wonderful family and our family's sincere condolences go to all of them on their loss.