Tribute to Rochester man who died saving girl from drowning in Mississippi River originally appeared on Bring Me The News.
Family members are raising money to honor a Rochester man who died rescuing a 12-year-old girl from drowning in the Mississippi River.
On Saturday, Ron Highet, 56, rescued the girl — a family friend with whom he was swimming — from strong currents on the Mississippi River near Lake City. But while the girl was able to get to safety, Highet never resurfaced from the water.
He was reported missing, with the Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office announcing his body had been found the following day.
A GoFundMe has since been created to support Highnet's two adult children in the wake of his death.
Money raised will go toward funeral and burial expenses, end-of-life medical costs and other needs.
"Ron was so much more than his final act of bravery. He was the kind of father who planned epic rock-hunting adventures along Lake Superior, the sort of friend who’d drop everything to fix your computer, and the proudest Packers fan you’d ever meet," the fundraiser reads.
"His sudden loss has left a void no amount of money can fill—but together, we can ensure his children are not burdened by financial stress during their darkest days."
As of Thursday, the fundraiser had reached around $6,200 of its $10,000 goal.
This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
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