WILMINGTON — Frank Higgins, beloved father and grandfather, passed away on January 17th, 2025, of complications from stroke.
Born Francis Patrick Higgins in Brooklyn, NY, on December 28, 1940, Frank attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Brooklyn Preparatory School, where he graduated with high honors in 1958. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Detroit in 1963—a degree he jeopardized by “hot-rodding” around campus on weekends. His penchant for speed would later earn him the sobriquet “Hell with the Brakes.”
Upon graduation, Frank married Sharon Boehm, who was his partner for 58 years before she passed in 2021. Frank is survived by his five children and six grandchildren.
Frank’s many achievements include his work as a designer and lead telemetry engineer for the Grumman F-14 Tomcat. He was also lead test engineer for the U.S. Navy’s landing craft air cushion (LCAC) vehicles; he later joined Textron Marine & Land Systems where he continued to expand work with the U.S. Navy and evolve hovercraft designs to accommodate new applications such as harbor fire and rescue support, maritime self defense, arctic mail delivery, and even pleasurecraft use.
He was a world traveler and avid fisherman all his life, beginning at least as early as age 16, when he won a True Sportsmanship Citation from the Montauk Chamber of Commerce for catching a nine-pound bluefish off the coast at Montauk Point. Since then, he has enjoyed all types of fishing in places as far-flung as New Zealand, the Maldives, Thailand, Nova Scotia, British Columbia, and Alaska. Frank is also fondly remembered for his love of cooking, gardening, and dogs, especially his prized Leonbergers Gallagher and Guinness, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Wild Fish Conservancy or to Leonberger Rescue Pals.
Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family here.
