Major (Ret) Robert E. Highlands, Jr., US Army, 87, of Carlisle, passed away on Sunday, February 25, 2018 at the Holy Spirit Hospital in Camp Hill. He was born on September 1, 1930 in Carlisle Springs and was the son of late Robert E. Highlands and Mary C. (Wagner) Highlands.

Bob was a 1948 graduate of Carlisle High School. He retired as a Major with the US Army after more than 22 years of service. He was a veteran of the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Bob earned many honors for his service to his country including; the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal (1st OLC), Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal (4th award), National Defense Service Medal (1st OLC), Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Meritorious Unit Emblem, and he also received the highest honor given by the South Korean government to a non-Korean citizen - the Korean Order of Military Merit IN HUN for participating as a member of Allied forces fighting in Vietnam. After retirement from the Army, Bob was employed with the Social Security Administration in Carlisle and then in Harrisburg. He retired after 15 years of service as a supervisor. He was a member of Carlisle United Methodist Church, AARP Chapter 4377, Mechanicsburg American Legion Post 109, Association of the US Army, Carlisle Lions Club, where he was a Past District Governor of district 14-C and was named Lion of the Year (1989-90, 2001-02 and 2016-17), Cumberland County Historical Society, where he and his wife were named volunteer of the year (2016), Cumberland County Fire Police, Disabled American Veterans, Carlisle Elks Lodge, where he was named Elk of the Year (2011-12 and 2013-14), US Field Artillery Assoc., Carlisle Eagles, Good Sam Club, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Military Officers Assoc. of America, North Middleton Fire Co., North Middleton Fire Police, PA State Fire Police, Shippensburg Historical Society, Carlisle Union Fire Co., VFW Post 477-Carlisle, Korean War Veterans Assoc. and the Cumberland Road Fire Co. #5 in Fayetteville, NC.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 68 years, Alpheretta "Freddie" Highlands, three sons; Rev. Robert E. Highlands, III and his wife, Patti of Olympia, WA, Russell E. Highlands and his wife, Denise of Carlisle and Raymond E. Highlands and his wife, Lisa of Carlisle, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Bob was preceded in death by one son, SSgt (Ret) Ronald E. Highlands, US Army, who passed away on July 20, 2011.

Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at the Ewing Brothers Funeral Home, 630 S. Hanover St, Carlisle, with Rev. James VanZandt officiating. Burial with military honors by Cumberland County Honor Guard will be in Waggoner's United Methodist Church Cemetery, Carlisle. A viewing will be held on Friday at the funeral home from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until time of the service. Memorial gifts may be made to the Carlisle Lions Club, in memory of Robert E. Highlands, Jr., Carlisle Lions Club, PO Box 321, Carlisle, PA 17013.