Robert Scott Haigh was born in 1926 in Chicago, Illinois. He was one of
three children raised during the depression years. Robert remembered months
when, without a job, his father would get up each morning, put on a clean shirt
and suit, kiss his wife and kids, and walk the streets looking for work. But he
also remembered his mother giving homeless people and stray cats and dogs food
if they came to her door. She would tell her children that "we have more than
they do".
In his teens, Mr. Haigh won medals in sharp shooting, caddied for several
professional golf players and played some professional golf himself.
Robert was proud to serve his country in WWII, receiving the Asia Pacific
Theater Ribbon, The Victory and Army of Occupation Medal and Meritorious Unit
Award.
After the war, Robert worked on the loading docks while attending the University
of Oklahoma, graduating Phi Beta Kappa with a BS in Geology.
In the early 1950's Mr. Haigh settled in Casper, Wyoming where he and two other
men started a small oil company. They found oil and gas in Wyoming, Kansas, and
California. Robert especially loved chasing oil deposits in Mennelusa, a
formation of oil bearing sands which although not a high grade of oil, can
produce for many years.
At the time of his death in 2002, he and his wife Marjorie had two children and
two grandchildren. At his memorial, the most common remarks were how much Robert
loved his Chicago Bears and Cubs and they would miss his distinct, jovial laugh.
Mr. Haigh was always ready and willing to give a "hand up" to
anyone but he also expected positive results. He believed in honesty, good work
ethics, self-reliance, education, and no personal debt were "essential" for a
happy life. Robert certainly lived what he believed.
STAAR Leaders and the scholarship sponsor are proud to dedicate this award in Mr. Haigh's memory
to help keep her legacy alive.
The Robert S. Haigh Scholarship Award is an annual award given to any college
bound individual who has maintained a good academic record in high school or
college. The recipient of this award is expected to have some community service
repertoire.
Application for this award is through the STAAR Leaders
scholarship application process. Please download the application form
here.
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