Fred Higginbotham believed a good administrator could see how things work, make adjustments and take care of the people who did the day-to-day work. He thought of it as seeing the big picture, his daughter said.
“He once told me that being a hospital administrator was like running a small city,” said Jan Mason, of Dallas, Texas. “And he liked doing that kind of work.”
During his 40 years in Atlanta, Mr. Higginbotham served in a number of leadership roles including several years as president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia. The work he did then helped the insurance provider do bigger and better things, said Morgan Kendrick, president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia.
“Fred Higginbotham’s forward-thinking actions in merging the Columbus and Atlanta plans were instrumental in positioning Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia into becoming the largest healthcare plan in the state,” Mr. Kendrick said. “As president, you aspire to leave a legacy that truly has an impact on the business and its employees, and Fred’s contributions certainly have had a long-lasting, positive impact on Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia as it exists today.”
Frederick Rhodes Higginbotham, of Dallas, Texas, died Feb. 2 at his residence after a short illness. He was 90. His body was cremated and memorial services are planned for Dallas and Atlanta. The Atlanta service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Dunwoody. Allen Family Funeral Options, Plano, Texas, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Gorman, Texas, Mr. Higginbotham left Texas A&M to serve in the Army Air Corps. He resumed his studies at the conclusion of his military service at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. He soon married the former Kathryn Jean Bloodworth in 1941 and they remained together for 48 years, until her death in 1990.
Mr. Higginbotham’s career began in Texas, in hospital administration. In 1961, he became vice president of public relations for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, which ultimately allowed him to relocate to Atlanta in 1970.
In a 1985 newspaper article, Mr. Higginbotham acknowledged he had strong ties to Texas, but moving to Atlanta meant he could stay true to his mission of making quality health care affordable to Blue Cross and Blue Shield policyholders.
He left Atlanta in 2008 and returned to Texas to be closer to his family. While he was glad to be back in Texas, he felt his time in Atlanta was well spent.
William G. Nordmark III, who was a junior executive of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield team in the '70s, said Mr. Higginbotham was, “drawn to leadership.”
“He had a very caring attitude toward people and was a very caring man,” Mr. Nordmark said. “He was a courageous man who looked to be, and was, a good leader.”
One of Mr. Higginbotham’s trademarks was knowing all of his staff by name, said Mrs. Leona Wollesen, a former employee.
“This is when the company was smaller, of course, but he wanted to know your name,” she said. “And not only did he learn your name, but something about your family, too.”
In addition to heading up the insurance provider, Mr. Higginbotham was president of the Business Council of Georgia, chairman of the metro Atlanta chapter of the American Red Cross, and a past board member of both the Rotary Club of Atlanta and The Salvation Army.
Mr. Higginbotham is survived by a second daughter, Kay Leavell of Dallas, Texas; brother Richard Higginbotham of Tyler, Texas; sister Virginia Martin of Eustis, Fla.; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
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