Robert M. Higdon
Died in 2018. "Robert M. Higdon, a close associate of President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan, who became a leading fundraiser for the Reagan Presidential Library and Foundation and later led foundations associated with former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher and Britain’s Prince Charles, died June 19 at his home in Panama City, Fla. He was 58.
"The death was confirmed by Mr. Higdon’s partner, David Deckelbaum. The cause is undetermined and is pending an autopsy by the Florida Medical Examiner’s office.
"...He began his career on Capitol Hill working for Democratic congressmen, then entered the Reagans’ orbit while working at a lobbying firm with Carolyn Deaver, the wife of Ronald Reagan’s deputy chief of staff, Michael Deaver.
"Mr. Higdon became, in effect, an organizer and assistant for the first family before joining the staff of Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Foundation in the mid-1980s. He was particularly close to Nancy Reagan and, after the Reagans left the White House, was often described as a “walker” who accompanied the former first lady to social events...
"He then headed the U.S. office of the Margaret Thatcher Foundation, dedicated to furthering the free-market ideals of the former British prime minister.... Mr. Higdon’s work with both Thatcher and Prince Charles came under criticism in the British media for what was called lavish spending. In 2011, Mr. Higdon reportedly received more than $600,000 in salary and expense reimbursements from the Prince of Wales Foundation. He stayed at first-class hotels during his frequent international travels, and critics noted that his compensation almost equaled the total amount of money disbursed by the foundation.
"Mr. Higdon left the Prince of Wales Foundation in 2011, when his contract was not renewed." [1]
