Richard Simons

RICHARD W. SIMONS, Lt. Col, (Retired), of Malvern, Pennsylvania, died suddenly on March 6, 2005 in a plane crash. He was 70.

He was born November 5, 1934 in Baltimore, MD the son of the late Walter O. and Dorothy H. Simons of Forest Hill.

He attended University of Maryland and withdrew to enter pilot training for the United States Air Force in Texas. For the next 22 years, he continued his service as a pilot, achieving his MBA. After service in Germany, Vietnam, and many bases in the United States, he retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

After retiring from the Air Force, he continued his flying career as a demonstration pilot for Cessna and later as a corporate pilot for Spectacor and Comcast, from which he retired in February. He was well known in the Chester County flying community because he often flew executives, professional athletes, and celebrities.

He was an avid skier and hunter. His passions in life were his family and flying.

He was married to his high school sweetheart, the former Phyllis Ruth Cunningham who accompanied him to air force bases in the United States and Germany, as well as in his civilian job.

Mr. Simons is survived by sons, Gregory L. Simons and wife, Sheri, and their children Jessica, Russell, and David of Overland Park, KS and Michael A. Simons and wife, Linda, and their children Jeff, Kevin, and Jennifer of Charlotte, NC. He was predeceased by his son, Stephen W. Simons, who also served in the United States Air Force, and Stephen’s two children Meredith and Bethany of Fort Worth, Texas. His grandchildren fondly called him “Opa”.

He is also survived by two sisters, Carolyn Holbrook of Bel Air, MD and Jean Simmons of Havre de Grace, MD.

Pallbearers were: Gale Tart, Alex Maxwell, James Coale, Willis Harkins, Bob Braden, Dick Moore, and Ed Snider.

Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Maryland Affiliate, Inc. 415 N. Charles Street, P.O. Box 17025, Baltimore, Maryland 21203.