Tributes to mountain-climbing clergyman Jack Higham

Rev Canon Jack Higham (pictured), who was Residentiary Canon emeritus of Peterborough Cathedral, died on June 27, while walking in Scotland. 

After reaching the summit of Beinn a’Choin, near Loch Lomond, he had a sudden fatal heart attack, and died doing what he loved.

He was described by family as “a kind, helpful man, not pompous or overbearing, always ready to listen, and sympathetic to all who approached him”.

They said in a statement: “He was a kind, loving husband and father, with a good sense of humour, interested in his children's development and his wife's career, offering encouragement and a listening ear when needed.”

Born on May 1933 in Bolton, Lancashire, the younger son of a trade union leader, he attended Rotherham Grammar School, and did his National Service in the British Army in Hong Kong.  

Jack remained a keen and loyal support of Rotherham United until his last, always watching the team’s movements through the Football League, and when he watched a match on the TV, he would always support the team closest to Rotherham.  

He studied modern languages and theology at Oxford University, attended theological seminary in Birmingham prior to ordination and completed a Master of Sacred Theology degree at Union Theological Seminary in New York.  

Whilst assisting at Grace Episcopal Church, Rutherford, New Jersey, he met his wife, Patricia, with whom he had two sons, Hugh and Tim.  

After his curacy at St Mary's, Handsworth, Sheffield, he became Vicar of St. James, Woodhouse, Sheffield, and in 1970, moved to the Bethlehem Diocese in Pennsylvania.

He went on to serve as rector in several Peterborough parishes before, in 1983, becoming Canon Residentiary at Peterborough Cathedral, where he lectured, developed a visitor’s centre and led tours to historic venues.

After retiring to Nottingham in 2003, Jack continued to teach courses on art, architecture, and church history and he led communion in church in times of clergy vacancies.   

Jack’s interests included classical music, photography, history, art, architecture and travel.

He recalled sleeping in air raid shelters whilst growing up in Rotherham during the Second World War and later wrote of his wartime experiences.

Jack leaves his wife Pat, his sons, Hugh and Tim, and granddaughters, Amy and Lucy.