Robert M. Simonds

Robert M. Simonds, 89, resident of Mercer Island, WA, passed away Thursday, July 17^th, 2014.  Born in Pasadena, CA, on June 23, 1925, Robert, or Bob as he preferred, was the son of the late Merle and Ida Simonds.  Bob received a Bachelors Degree from UCLA, where he was a member of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, a degree in Structural Engineering from UC Berkeley, and a Ph.D. in Physics from Stanford University.  Bob grew up in Southern California enjoying the sunshine and surf, then went on to serve in the Army in World War 2 as a Corporal and Rifleman.  He received 3 Bronze Stars and fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

Bob married Betty Miller Simonds on April 6, 1963 in the Stanford University Chapel.  They went on to live in Portola Valley, then following his Ph.D., moved to Weston, MA to do postdoctoral work at Harvard in their accelerator lab.  After 2 years in Massachusetts, and following the birth of their only daughter, Monika, they relocated back to Northern California to Sunnyvale, where Bob succeeded in research in aeronautical engineering.

In 1981, the family moved to Mercer Island, WA, where Bob continued to enjoy skiing, tennis, gardening, and photography for many years with Betty.  Bob and Betty enjoyed several trips to watch the Oregon Ducks play college football in Eugene, Oregon.  They additionally traveled frequently to visit friends and compatriots with the 94^th Army Infantry veterans.  He also served as President for one year and Newsletter editor of the local Probus Club from 2006 until 2014.

Bob is survived by his wife Betty of 51 years, and daughter Monika.  His sense of humor, dry wit, and general joie de vivre was a joy to us all.  He was much loved and will be dearly missed.

A Memorial Service will be held on August 16^th, from 2 pm to 4 pm at the Mercer Island Community Center, 8236 SE 24th Street, Mercer Island, WA 98040.