Robert Walter Simons Sr.

When Bob Simons walked into a room, those in his company felt an energy, an enthusiasm, an honest resurgence of kinship. This is just one example of who Bob was, and how he impacted those around him. Bob was a charismatic, dependable man, with an integrity and deep sincerity everyone admired. His word was his bond, and he valued every relationship in his long life.

Born on February 19, 1929 at Massapequa, Long Island, he was the son of Margarite and George Simons.

He was raised in Massachusetts with two older brothers John and George and younger sister Margaret. He was a great big brother, always there for his sister, when Peggy was climbing trees and being afraid of the height when she got there, she would call out" BOBBY help me!!." her brother rushed to the rescue and would help her down from the tree and say “if you do that again I'll leave you there" Guess what, she doesn’t live in a tree.

Bob’s passion with the Army begun very early in his life when he was still a teenager, and lasted till his last breath. His dedicated service took him through two wars, and three long combat tours, which were difficult and early in the life of his young family. These combat tours were tough, but, as we joke, a healthy source of “war stories”. In his 22 years of Army service, in the Corps of Engineers, he rose to the rank of Master Sergeant and will forever be known by some as First Sergeant.

Bob was a good listener to many, but oh(!) was he a good story teller too! For all who knew Bob, is very familiar with his amazing recall of “war stories” and the intricate details of those stories was truly remarkable. He took comfort and pride in telling them, and as we all know, repeatedly, and again, and again! Those close to Bob heard each, several times to say the least. But, we all knew and realized he took great joy in telling them, and knew that none were about him, but filled with the emotions and events of those he knew and the places he’d been.

His first and foremost love though was his bride of almost 62 years, Raphael. Bob and Rae met as young beautiful people and fell in love at first sight. Even after all those years their love was strong and affectionate, after their big 60th anniversary party, Rae said she needed to sit next to Bob on the plane so they can hold hands. He was very sensitive to her needs showing his constant concern and fondness. Many of married couples in love, envy the lifelong romantic journey Bob and Rae had in their life together. Those of you who knew Bob, knew that his love for Rae was his priority in life. After his darling wife, came family, he always claimed that being a grandpa was being a parent without any rules! Oh, and did he enjoy and try to spoil all of his grand children; Shannon, Shane, Seth, AJ, and his only great grandson Stosh.

Bob amassed a wide array of close friends in his 83 and 1/2 years, to each he shared a deep bond of friendship, to each that friendship was as a one-of-a-kind closeness. He valued his friends, his relationships, his shared experiences with those close he loved. One of his life’s earlier passions, spawned four others he valued even more. His passion for The U.S. Army grew to The United States Military Academy at West Point, which again evolved into the pride of his son’s academy graduation, which evolved into a 30 + year passion for Army Football, which again evolved into the many enriching cadet sponsorships that grew into father/ sons and daughters’ life-long relationships. Bob and Rae gained another loving family in these unofficial cadet-sponsor relationships. Not many people put on this earth, can leave with the love and admiration of so many.

Bob and Rae were blessed with two children, Bobby Jr in 1952 and younger Johnny, born in 1956. He was very proud, natural and creative parent who provided his family with all sorts of new and interesting experiences. Hand in hand Bob and Rae, endured the difficult and painful years and task of normalizing their lives after Johnny’s sudden death in 1984.

Bob was a passionate parent who instilled the essential life-skills, attributes, and work ethics required in this demanding world. So demanding were his standards, Bobby recalls one father-son interaction he will never forget. One day during his senior year of high school, Bobby returned from a state track and field championship. He proudly announced to his Dad Bob when questioned how he did, “Dad, I took two first place medals, and a second place medal!” Bob responded with, “Oh, you lost one?”

There was always a certain style to Bob’s personality. He was a dynamic, kind, righteous person who was forever looking to celebrate endless possibilities life had to offer. He had a knack for being clever, thoughtful and a great friend to many, a joy to be around. He was fiercely independent, it seemed as if many others looked to Bob Simons for inspiration, leadership, and a common sense wisdom, that served him extremely well. Bob never did anything solely for individual recognition, and often used himself as the object of humor and good will.

For example, his many fond and memorable years as a member of the ROOC, Regiment-Of-Old-Campaigners, in his home of Highland Falls for 35 years, were the source of many of these humorous stories. Bob often boasted that he was the sole recipient of the esteemed “Astronaut Award” with three Oak Leaf Clusters! A certain familiarity is required to understand this jovial feat.

Bob made it down to Florida, after 10 stubborn years of bracing himself in his and Rae’s Highland Falls home. As his health and ability to caregive for his Rae began to falter, he conceded to move to condo living in tropical paradise. His last noble effort was to safely get his bride to their immediate family, Bobby Jr. and Megan, in Florida, where he knew she would be loved and cared for.

Bob Simons passed away on June 10th at Largo Medical Center in Florida after a short but courageous battle with heart condition. He is survived by his Wife Rae, son Bobby Jr, sister Peggy, grandchildren Shannon, Shane and AJ, and daughter-in-law, Megan. The services will be held on Friday, 6 July, at 1045 hours, at Bay Pines Military Memorial Cemetery in St Petersburg FL. He will forever be missed.