April 9, 1954 - April 26, 2009

Matthew Peter Higgins, age 55, died April 26 after a courageous four-year battle with cancer. He was born in Baker City on April 9, 1954. He attended St. Frances Academy and Baker High School, Eastern Oregon University and then Oregon State University, graduating in 1978 with a degree in forest management.

Upon graduation he worked for the U.S. Forest Service until January 1979, when he started his 30-year career with Georgia-Pacific, which eventually merged into Plum Creek Timber. He began his career at Georgia-Pacific as a geneticist at the Cottage Grove nursery, where he helped establish the tree improvement and seed orchard program. His most recent position was Silviculture Manager for Oregon Operations at Toledo. He and his family lived in Cottage Grove and Creswell before moving to Corvallis 13 years ago. He was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Corvallis.

His love of the land was evident in the more than 30 years that he worked in the wood products industry. Matt was involved in numerous committees, which include the Oregon Forest Industries Council, past president of West Oregon Forest Protection Association, past chair of Concerned Landowners of Lincoln County, and the Nursery Tech, Genetics, Swiss Needle Cast, Stand Management and Vegetation Management cooperatives. He was a long-standing member of the Society of American Foresters. He developed and ran the partnership between SOLV and Plum Creek Timber for garbage cleanup on the Siletz River. He helped the Baber Mountain ATV Club develop a network of trails on private timberlands near Toledo. As was typical for Matt, this win-win partnership enabled the ATV users to enjoy Oregon's Forests while protecting property and respecting property rights.

Matt was excited about life and lived every day to the fullest. He was compassionate and touched the lives of everyone with his kind and gentle nature. He had a unique ability to connect with people and had a positive impact on those around him.

In the last few years, he faced many trials due to his illness. He met those trials with grace and fortitude and relied on the strength of his faith as well as the love of his family and friends. He was thankful for the many wonderful people he met on his journey. Matt loved Oregon State University athletics, the outdoors and spending time with his family and friends. He was planning to walk the American Cancer Relay for Life on May 15 with his team "Marching for Matt."

His father, Dr. John Higgins, and his nephew Tyler preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of almost 27 years, Nancy; sons Michael and Kyle; his mother, Esther Higgins; sisters Mary, Patty, Catherine and Frances; brothers John, Tim and Tom; brothers-in-law Vincent, Milt, Glen and Bob; sisters-in-law Bobbi, Deb, Paula, Ann and Julie; numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and his mother- and father in-law Hollis and Anna Bolton.

One of his fondest quotes - "Life is not always what we expected it to be but as long as we are here we should smile and be grateful."

A funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 2, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Albany. A recitation of the Rosary will be at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Matt to the OSU Foundation Matt Higgins Fellowship Fund, 850 S.W. 35th St., Corvallis, OR 97333.

AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home is handling the arrangements (www.aasum-dufour.com).