Bert Higginbotham

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
48,895
67,799
113
I'm posting this here, because a lot of you know Bert.
He’s been dealing with cancer for about a year and this morning, he lost the battle.
I've gotten to know Bert quite well the last few years. He definitely rubbed some people the wrong way on here, but I'm telling ya, he was a damn good man.
Most don't know this, but he was close with Joe B and The Goose. There's even a picture from the late 70's of Bert's daughter sitting on Joe B's lap. Blew me away when I saw that.
Anyway, Bert loved UK basketball and he loved his bourbon. I'm going to miss him very much. Guy was full of knowledge and great experiences.
I don't drink during the week, but I'll have one tonight.
 

RunninRichie

Heisman
Sep 5, 2019
27,797
65,696
113
I'm posting this here, because a lot of you know Bert.
He’s been dealing with cancer for about a year and this morning, he lost the battle.
I've gotten to know Bert quite well the last few years. He definitely rubbed some people the wrong way on here, but I'm telling ya, he was a damn good man.
Most don't know this, but he was close with Joe B and The Goose. There's even a picture from the late 70's of Bert's daughter sitting on Joe B's lap. Blew me away when I saw that.
Anyway, Bert loved UK basketball and he loved his bourbon. I'm going to miss him very much. Guy was full of knowledge and great experiences.
I don't drink during the week, but I'll have one tonight.
Unreal. Me and him spoke a lot about the civil war through DMs. Great guy.
 

JayHank

All-Conference
Jun 29, 2025
1,506
2,442
113
This is a personal loss for me. I have spent many hours on the phone talking with Bert, not only about our Cats but history, family genealogy and life in general. I last spoke to Bert about two weeks ago and a few days ago his son told me the end was near. I sent him a personal message telling him how much he meant to me and that I would see him once I cross that river.

Rest In Peace my friend and thank you for all of the good times we spent in conversation. You will be sorely missed and I am a better person for having known you. Until we meet again, so long.
 
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JayHank

All-Conference
Jun 29, 2025
1,506
2,442
113
Unreal. Me and him spoke a lot about the civil war through DMs. Great guy.
Bert had a wealth of information about the WBTS, especially Kentucky units. One of my cousins wrote a book on a Kentucky Regiment, CSA and Bert contributed to the book. He provided information and some rare photos that she used and gave him a special acknowledgment that he was proud of.

We would talk for hours and I will miss that.
 

Kentucky15

All-Conference
Mar 29, 2013
2,033
4,220
108
I'm posting this here, because a lot of you know Bert.
He’s been dealing with cancer for about a year and this morning, he lost the battle.
I've gotten to know Bert quite well the last few years. He definitely rubbed some people the wrong way on here, but I'm telling ya, he was a damn good man.
Most don't know this, but he was close with Joe B and The Goose. There's even a picture from the late 70's of Bert's daughter sitting on Joe B's lap. Blew me away when I saw that.
Anyway, Bert loved UK basketball and he loved his bourbon. I'm going to miss him very much. Guy was full of knowledge and great experiences.
I don't drink during the week, but I'll have one tonight.
Been talking with Bert for years. Hard to believe I’m almost 40 and been around here 25 years now. Bert was always around. Hate hearing it.

Bert never rubbed me wrong that I can remember.
 

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
48,895
67,799
113
This is a personal loss for me. I have spent many hours on the phone talking with Bert, not only about our Cats but history, family genealogy and life in general. I last spoke to Bert about two weeks ago and a few days ago his son told me the end was near. I sent him a personal message telling him how much he meant to me and that I would see him once I cross that river.

Rest In Peace my friend and thank you for all of the good times we spent in conversation. You will be sorely missed and I am a better person for having known you. Until we meet again, so long.
Do you know Bert from the boards? Great family.
 

Eagles_Ball_69

All-Conference
Dec 19, 2003
2,869
3,679
82
RIP Bert...Interested to know his background of the railroad. My dad passed about 10 yrs ago. Was an original MOPAC guy and then UP later when he retired. Still have some of his watches.

What was Bert's name on here? I haven't been around nearly as long as some others, but definitely see a lot of familiar names these days.
 
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JayHank

All-Conference
Jun 29, 2025
1,506
2,442
113
Do you know Bert from the boards? Great family.
Yes from the boards and Facebook where I also met his wife Sherry, their son Lee and daughter Samantha. We never met in person but corresponded for years, exchanged lots of information and shared with each other. I sent him a book an ancestor wrote titled "History of the American Indians", published in 1775. The book is over 500 pages and it takes a person of deep intellect to not only read it but to understand it. Bert read it twice and could quote certain points verbatim. He was a special person.

Because he had such a deep interest in WBTS history I got him hooked up with a cousin in Mississippi who has written many books and articles on units and battles in The War and both increased their knowledge interacting with each other.
 
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Kentucky15

All-Conference
Mar 29, 2013
2,033
4,220
108
Yes from the boards and Facebook where I also met his wife Sherry, their son Lee and daughter Samantha. We never met in person but corresponded for years, exchanged lots of information and shared with each other. I sent him a book an ancestor wrote titled "History of the American Indians", published in 1775. The book is over 500 pages and it takes a person of deep intellect to not only read it but to understand it. Bert read it twice and could quote certain points verbatim. He was a special person.
Would love to read that. Anything from the time in history is my jam. Wouldn’t call myself an intellect, hold modern grad degrees which mean I can count to 5.
 

JayHank

All-Conference
Jun 29, 2025
1,506
2,442
113
Would love to read that. Anything from the time in history is my jam. Wouldn’t call myself an intellect, hold modern grad degrees which mean I can count to 5.
Bert and I discussed this book for hours. The author lived with the American Indians in the Southeast for over 40 years. His work was so controversial in the 1700's that he could not find an American publisher. It was published in London,, England.

The 8th Governor of Kentucky came from this family.

Bing Videos - The History Of The American Indians
 

AustinTXCat

Hall of Famer
Jan 7, 2003
53,579
317,247
113
I am so very sorry to hear of his passing. Visited Bert and Sherry many times between 2017-2022 in Smiths Grove on the way to Nolin Lake. Just wonderful people. He was a genuine Kentuckian through and through, and darn proud of it. His stories were amazing, as were his photos.

RIP, Great Sir.
 

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
48,895
67,799
113
Yes from the boards and Facebook where I also met his wife Sherry, their son Lee and daughter Samantha. We never met in person but corresponded for years, exchanged lots of information and shared with each other. I sent him a book an ancestor wrote titled "History of the American Indians", published in 1775. The book is over 500 pages and it takes a person of deep intellect to not only read it but to understand it. Bert read it twice and could quote certain points verbatim. He was a special person.

Because he had such a deep interest in WBTS history I got him hooked up with a cousin in Mississippi who has written many books and articles on units and battles in The War and both increased their knowledge interacting with each other.
Yes, he showed me that book, he's very proud of it.
I'm very close with Sam, Lee, Momma Sherry and Sam's husband, Ben. Absolutely terrific people.
I'm concerned about Momma Sherry, Bert was her life partner, I can't imagine the hurt she's dealing with.
 

JayHank

All-Conference
Jun 29, 2025
1,506
2,442
113
Yes, he showed me that book, he's very proud of it.
I'm very close with Sam, Lee, Momma Sherry and Sam's husband, Ben. Absolutely terrific people.
I'm concerned about Momma Sherry, Bert was her life partner, I can't imagine the hurt she's dealing with.
Sherry and Bert were married for about 59 years or so and she was his lifelong love. He told me their story and how Sherry's mother was the best looking mother in law a man ever had.

Once he called me while drinking some of his finest bourbon and I told to him to hang on while I poured a glass for a toast. He came from a long line of Kentucky bourbon distillers from the beginning of the Commonwealth. He had the original family recipe that was several hundred years old. True pioneer stock and an expert on Kentucky bourbon. He knew his stuff which made him so interesting to talk to and correspond with.
 

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
48,895
67,799
113
Sherry and Bert were married for about 59 years or so and she was his lifelong love. He told me their story and how Sherry's mother was the best looking mother in law a man ever had.

Once he called me while drinking some of his finest bourbon and I told to him to hang on while I poured a glass for a toast. He came from a long line of Kentucky bourbon distillers from the beginning of the Commonwealth. He had the original family recipe that was several hundred years old. True pioneer stock and an expert on Kentucky bourbon. He knew his stuff which made him so interesting to talk to and correspond with.
LOL, yeah, he was trying to date Sherry's mom, she pointed him to Sherry and heck, the mom was married. Haha, Bert knew what he wanted and he didn't care what it was going to take.
 

jedwar

Heisman
Dec 30, 2002
18,711
29,998
113
Nice. I’ve met a few from here. Turned out to be good friends.

Someday you’ll be in my living room.
 

cordmaker 74

All-Conference
Jul 5, 2025
276
1,702
93
I got to know Bert in the D League, he found out that I had lost our grandson, he had a similar situation happen to him. Whenever I needed to talk he was always willing to listen to me, he told me like it was, didn't beat around the bush or sugar coat anything, helped me get through the darkest days of my life! Honor and respect Bert! Love you my friend!!!!
 

Nightwish

Junior
Jul 10, 2025
197
200
43
I recognize his name. RIP.

I think sometimes we forget there's actual people behind these id's and avatars but if you're lucky sometimes thoughtful conversations and meaningful friendships can take hold and begin.
 

Kentucky15

All-Conference
Mar 29, 2013
2,033
4,220
108
A/S/L?:)

I’ve got two friends I’ve met on here, stay in contact with them. Have a few that must be paranoid or something, they’d rather stick to DM’s. Not sure why the last thing I’d do is screw around with someone’s life but, hey, I guess I get it.

Down to exchange with anyone I’ve spoke to for years as long as it’s legit. Lead Belly pretending to be Jed I can’t do
RIP.

We're all getting older. I recommend that we all get to know at least a few other guys on the forum so we can at least do these threads when one of us passes.
 

jedwar

Heisman
Dec 30, 2002
18,711
29,998
113
A/S/L?:)

I’ve got two friends I’ve met on here, stay in contact with them. Have a few that must be paranoid or something, they’d rather stick to DM’s. Not sure why the last thing I’d do is screw around with someone’s life but, hey, I guess I get it.

Down to exchange with anyone I’ve spoke to for years as long as it’s legit. Lead Belly pretending to be Jed I can’t do
I have a pot belly. I hadn't thought of Lead Belly in a long time.
 
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