SIMMONS ROBERT L

COL Robert "Bob" L. Simmons was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 05/05/2017 at the age of 95.1
Austin, TX
Date of Birth 03/13/1922
Served in the U.S. Marine Corps
Served in Vietnam with MAG-16 in 65-66
This information was provided by Sammie Williams

More detail on this person: Unit(s): MAG-16 (65-66)Branch of Service: MCColonel ROBERT LYSTER SIMMONS USMC (Retired) Colonel Robert Lyster Simmons, USMC Retired, formerly of Arlington, Virginia, passed away Friday, May 5, 2017 in Austin, Texas. He was born March 13, 1922, in Highland Park, Illinois to the late Lyster Francis and Laura Porter Simmons. He leaves behind daughter Jill (John) Graff of Austin, TX, grandchildren Laura (Beth) Short and great-granddaughter Ada of Arlington, VA, and Chris (Emily) Graff, and great-grandson Arthur and great-granddaughter Alice Graff of Auburn, AL. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 68 years, Gloria Marcella VanDeventer Simmons, his son, Brook Simmons, and sister Lela Simmons Bell. As a boy, Bob bred and raced pigeons. It seemed that he was destined to fly himself. So much so that he once sleepwalked to the stairs and jumped off. He represented Missouri during the first National Boy Scout Jamboree in DC and played the trombone in the band without knowing how to read music. In the 6th grade, he met a cute girl that he nicknamed "Shortie Bottoms". "I liked her shape," he said. In his rebuilt and colorfully painted 1927 Chevy convertible named Measles, they went on many dates during high school. At long last, Bob flew his Marine plane to NYC because Shortie wanted a Tiffany-setting on her wedding ring. He served in the Marine Corps during WWWII as a photo pilot in the South Pacific. He continued as a photo pilot in Korea photographing the initial overrun of the Chosin Reservoir. After serving in Korea, he began to work with helicopters and continued to do so into Viet Nam. He retired from the Corps after 32 years having been stationed during the non-war years in North Carolina, Virginia, Hawaii, Japan, California, Kansas and Okinawa. After settling in Arlington, Bob joined the First Christian Church in Falls Church (Disciples of Christ) where he found a second family. At the church, he served as deacon, leader, and pillar of the church's community. He was a loving father, a natural leader, and a kind man. A celebration of his life will be held at his church on Saturday, May 13, 2017, at 2 p.m. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to First Christian Church of Falls Church, 6165 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22044. www.everlycommunity.comwww.everlycommunity.c om

- S. G. Williams Added: May. 12, 2017

Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA

This information was last updated 05/12/2017

Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters

Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list

Return to VHPA web site

Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024


Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association