Richard Frederick Simonson

Monroe resident Richard F. Simonson, son of the late Clarence and Sophia Simonson, was born March 13, 1924, in Cleveland, Ohio, and died on September 17, 2018. His sister, Lois, and his brother, George, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Virginia, and their five children and spouses: Lynne & Kurt Kobelt of Greenville, SC; Nancy & Todd Leff of Ann Arbor, MI; Cathy Simonson of Centerville, OH; Rick & Lee Ann Simonson of Dallas, TX; and Craig & Dixie Simonson of Littleton, CO. There are six grandchildren: Hannah Simonson of San Francisco, CA, Jack Simonson of Seattle, WA, Molly Simonson of Seattle, WA, Kelly Simonson of Boston, MA, Luke Simonson of Palo Alto, CA, and Dylan Simonson of Ft. Collins, CO. Two nieces also survive him: Susanne (Larry) Hinkle and Stevann(Tom) Hoffman.

Following his 1942 graduation from Willoughby Union High School, Dick moved to California to work in an airplane factory. While there, he received his draft notice. Dick’s supervisor told him he could keep him out of the war. Instead of staying in California, Dick returned to Ohio, and joined the U.S. Navy. He served over 3 years on an LCIS as a Boatswain’s mate, transporting supplies and POWs. He traveled to dozens of ports throughout the world. Following his release from the Navy, he enrolled at The Ohio State University and received his BS in horticulture. It was in Columbus that Dick met his future wife, Ginny. The couple was married June 10, 1950, in Orwell, Ohio. Dick and Ginny lived on the Fleishman estate in Indian Hill for three years where Dick was responsible for the greenhouse and sold the flowers to the Cincinnati Cut Flower Exchange. The couple moved to Middletown in 1953 where Dick managed the greenhouse at Starr Floral, growing mainly carnations, and Ginny worked as a dental hygienist with Dr. Liggett. In 1968, Dick started his own landscape business. He spent the next 40 years landscaping in and around Middletown. Dick began skiing in 1980 and it became a life long passion. He skied in Colorado each year until age 85. He was also able to ski in Austria with his grandchildren for his 80th birthday.

Services will be held on Saturday, September 22, in The Mary H. Kittredge Chapel at Mt. Pleasant in Monroe. Visitation will be from 11:00 am – 12:00 noon, memorial service at 12:00 noon, with a luncheon following.

Donations may be made to Ohio Living at Mt. Pleasant.