David Wayne Higham, 70, passed away unexpectedly in his home in Myrtle Beach, SC on June 10, 2024.

He was born in Woodbury, NJ on June 16,1953, and lived in Glassboro, NJ until his early 20s. After graduating from Glassboro State College (now Rowan University), David moved to Washington, D.C. and worked for the late U.S. Congressman Jim Florio as a legislative assistant for nine years. It was in WDC where he met his wife, Carmen.

After marrying in 1981, they decided to move back to NJ so David could further his education. He began a new career at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey as the manager of the Department of Urban and Community Planning. Later, David was promoted to Director of Federal Relations, a position where he made a huge impact on the university and the City of Newark. During his tenure, he secured more than $28 million in federal appropriations to transform medical assistance for Newark’s socially and economically disadvantaged population. He proudly retired from UMDNJ on June 1, 2013, after 29 years.

David and Carmen lived in North Brunswick, NJ for 35+ years. He generously gave his time and energy to several community and professional organizations; including coaching North Brunswick Soccer Club’s Buddy Ball League that paired the club’s volunteer players with special needs athletes. David was elected to the North Brunswick Board of Education and served in various positions from 2007-2013:  Board President, Board Vice President and a member of the Negotiations, Finance and Personnel Committees.

In 2015, David and Carmen moved permanently to Myrtle Beach, SC where he became a Horry County substitute teacher. David quickly discovered that he really enjoyed working with the high school students. One day, in an elementary school, during a reading circle with the first graders, he turned away for only a second to find that one boy hit another who was bleeding. The incident required the principal’s attention, and… needless to say, David decided he was not cut out to be a substitute at an elementary school.

After COVID, David fully retired and rescued a puppy, whom he named Pino (yes, after the wine), and devoted his time to taking her on walks throughout the neighborhood and chatting with all the neighbors.

David was a former member of the Grand Strand Democratic Club.  He focused his time and efforts on voter registration for residents living in the more rural parts of Horry County.  He was also a very active participant in the club’s Gun Sense Committee, a local grassroots effort, focused on creating a future free from gun violence.

More recently, David joined the Olli Foundation at Coastal Carolina University where he formed the Guitar Club. Members must be at least 55 years old. Teaching, practicing, and playing music with like-minded friends brought David great joy.

David also volunteered as the Director of Club Marketing and Public Relations for the Myrtle Beach Lions Club.

Besides his wife, David had such love and pride for his daughters, Kelly and Leslie. His affection was proudly on display on their wedding days as he walked each of them down the aisle and gave them to the best sons-in-law, Levi Bishop and Alex Malecki. 

Over the years, David had several nicknames. Wez, a childhood nickname, that some friends still call him, was short for Weasel because he was a tiny kid; Chardon Dave because he loved Chardonnay wine for years, and Crab Man Dave. Crabbing for blue claw crabs was among his favorite pastimes. David once said that if he was ever on death row, his last meal would be blue claw crabs because he could happily pick crabs for days. David’s most recent nickname, that was coined by his grandchildren, and he was over the moon about, was Pop.

David was preceded in death by his parents, John and Helen Higham, and his brother, Gary Higham, all of Glassboro, NJ.

David is survived by his wife of 43 years, Carmen, daughters and sons-in-law Kelly and Levi Bishop of Conway, SC and Leslie and Alex Malecki of Nutley, NJ, two granddaughters, Delaney and Hattie Bishop; in-laws:  Wenda, Chip, Aiden and Connor Harris; Russell, LeeAnn, Tristan and Payden Schmelebeck, and his many life-long friends as well as numerous new friends.

The family will host a Celebration of Life on June 24 at 1 p.m. at The Cooper House in Myrtle Beach.

Donations can be made in David’s memory to either of the following organizations:

https://www.grandstrandhumanesociety.com/

https://www.musiclinkfoundation.org/

Cremation Services Direct (843-651-1194) of Myrtle Beach is proudly assisting the family with the arrangements.