Joseph Suhr Highbarger

Joseph Suhr Highbarger, 53, passed away Tuesday, October 29th, 2024 at Mercy West Lakes in West Des Moines, Iowa. Though he had been admitted to the hospital, his passing was sudden and extremely unexpected.

Joe was born November 14, 1970 to John and Jean Highbarger in South Bend, Indiana. The family lived for several years I n Hyde Park, NY. After his father’s untimely death, Joe’s mother moved the family to Ames, IA where he spent his childhood. He graduated from Ames High School in 1989 before attending Clark College in Dubuque on a full tuition scholarship. It was at Clarke College, that he was advised to pursue a career in Actuarial Science. After graduating from Clarke in 1993 with a BA in Mathematics, he continued his studies for an additional year at the University of Iowa.

Joe began his actuarial career in Des Moines with Allied Insurance before taking a position with GuideOne Insurance where he spent the majority of his career. He also worked at Fireman’s Fund Insurance in Denver, CO, American National Insurance in Springfield, MO, and most recently, took a position with Grinnell Mutual Insurance. Joe became a Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society in 2005. Joe was fortunate to have many colleagues throughout the years that became close friends and he treasured those friendships. He was a leader, a mentor, and a teacher throughout his career.

Joe met his wife, Jennifer, in 2000 in Des Moines. The couple moved to Colorado in 2002 and were married on Oahu, Hawaii November 28, 2003. In 2005 they moved back to the Des Moines area and had a son, Samuel Anson Highbarger in June of 2007. Joe considered being a husband and a father to be his greatest role and loved traveling and making memories with his family. He was the absolute best father and husband and will be so incredibly missed. As a self-proclaimed introvert, Joe was quiet and reserved, often sitting quietly at social events, taking it all in, waiting for the right moment to jump in with a witty comment. Those who knew him best know that he was not only one of the smartest people in the room, but also sneaky funny and accompanied by a little smirk. Joe (also known as Joey to many) was a lifelong Iowa State Cyclone fan and enjoyed many years as a season ticket holder for football and men’s basketball. He loved tailgating with friends on a nice fall day and cheering on the Cyclones to victory (though sometimes victory was elusive). He was also a big fan of Cubs baseball and went to many games at Wrigley Field making sure Sam attended a game by the ripe age of three months. The Highbarger family have what some may consider a “slight” Disney and Universal obsession and could be found at a theme park in central Florida on most long weekends when there was a school break or holiday. Jen and Sam were fortunate to have a final trip with Joe to Disneyland just a few weeks ago and will hold those memories tight.


Joe often told his wife that he was magnanimous as a joke, but he truly was a magnanimous person. He was generous, forgiving and had the biggest heart, always helping others on their path and never holding resentment or a grudge.
To Joey, the magnanimous, never forgotten, always loved.

Joe is survived by wife of nearly twenty-one years, Jennifer Highbarger; his son, Samuel Anson Highbarger; mother, Jean (Highbarger) Klute; brother, Matthew (Helene) Highbarger; stepbrother, Kevin Klute; mother-in-law, Pat Roach; father-in-law, Ed Roach; and sister-in-law, Hillery Roach.

He was preceded in death by his father, John Highbarger; stepfather, Dennis Klute; paternal grandparents, Samuel and Isabel Highbarger; and maternal grandparents, Virtus and Dorothy Suhr.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, November 8, 2024 at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, Iowa. Celebration of life will follow the next day at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 9 at the same location.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Joe’s memory to The American Heart Association (heart.org) or National Alliance on Mental Illness Iowa (namiiowa.salsalabs.org).

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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