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Robert Simon Obituary
Bob enlisted in the Army in 1948 serving until 1974. He served in the Korean War December 1950 through February 1953 and the Vietnam War August 1965 through August 1966. Bob was stationed in Germany twice, and in many of the Military Posts in the U.S. He was also assigned to civilian component advisor duty in Texas and Massachusetts. His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, numerous campaign medals, Distinguished Unit Citations, and other awards. He spent two seasons in the Army advanced Marksmanship program as a competitive pistol shooter, competing throughout the U.S. and earning the Distinguished Pistol Shot designation.
After retiring from the Army, the family settled in Colorado Springs. Bob held a variety of jobs, culminating as manager of a hardware store. Next came involvement with several non-profit organizations.
With the help of several friends, Bob founded the Pikes Peak Jazz and Swing Society. He was elected to two terms as president, and edited their newsletter as well as that of the Black Forest Soaring Society. Concurrently he was board member of the Pikes Peak Arts Council, ultimately serving as president of that organization. He also completed a lifelong desire to learn to fly, earning his private pilot designation in sailplanes. He spent many years as an on-air host of a weekly jazz program on the radio station, KRCC. Concurrently he and his wife, Von enjoyed many trips to jazz events in the U.S. and Europe, flying reunions and museums, art museums and just traveling at home and abroad.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Ward H. and Myrtle I. Simon; former wife, Ruth Simon; and second wife, LaVonna Scott Alter.
Survivors include daughters, Cynthia Elliott and Kimberly Simon; and son, John Simon.
There will be a memorial party at a later date.
Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery.
Contributions in Robert's memory may be made to the Pikes Peak Jazz and Swing Society Education Fund.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Simon
Ann Petrocelli
June 30, 2021
Bob, You are always remembered by the so many friends you have made during your lifetime. May God rest your soul always.
Dan (& Patti) DeMuth
June 30, 2020
So many good times in the too short time that we knew him (and Von). Airplanes, jazz, food and banter. Think about both of them often.
Jan & Dan Ostrom
August 5, 2014
We knew Bob for many years as a fellow jazz fan and Founding Father of Pikes Peak Jazz And Swing Society. We will remember him fondly for his dry wit, great sense of humor and love of great music! Our thoughts and prayers are with Bob's family as they cope with his sudden passing.
The Wilsons with Von and Bob and Ron Murphy and Ann Petrocelli at the 2007 San Diego Jazz Party
Mike and Sandy Wilson
July 26, 2014
We first got to know Bob and Von after they and eight other Springs jazz fans sponsored a show with a great touring band led by Ed Polcer in 2006. Afterwards we were invited to join the sponsors and a few of the players to celebrate how well it had gone. We really felt lucky being given that chance to meet everyone. Being from Denver, we hadn't known about all the great jazz occuring in Colorado Springs. Later, we learned that Bob had been one of the original leaders of the Pikes Peak Jazz and Swing Society that promoted much of it.
Bob and Von were always so friendly and fun to be with. There love of jazz was amazing. We attended a lot of jazz parties with them and especially liked it when we joined each other, and their close jazz friends, for dinner. Bob was always so knowledgeable with regard to the players, their histories, and the songs being played. And he had a great sense of humor. He personally knew many of the players, not only in the Springs, but also at the parties he attended.
It so sad that we lost him in such an unexpected manner. We will really miss meeting Von, and now Bob, at the jazz events we attend. We hope his children and their families can manage to cope with such an unfortunate accident.
Our sympathy goes out to all his family and friends.
Mike and Sandy Wilson
Anne Sandall
July 21, 2014
It was the summer of 2009 when Von called to ask if my husband and I had any interest in a JazzFest at Sea. We had never been on a cruise and were both feeling good and decided we'd like to celebrate Benny Goodman's 100th birthday on the MSC Poesia sailing the caribbean for 10 days with perhaps one of the greatest of all Jazz historians - Bob Simon. His knowledge and understanding of Jazz made it a seminar on Jazz. He introduced us to some of the jazz greats who were performing and whom he counted among his friends - the Vache brother, Becky Kilgore, Eddie Erickson, Dan Barrett, Babu Gibson, Bill Allred and more, and explained what we didn't understand. It was a TRIP OF A LIFETIME.
Further Jazz trips to Midland, TX and Del Mar, CA broadened our Jazz education and added a new and most enjoyable dimension to our lives. It was in Del Mar that Bob introduced us to Bucky Pizzarelli who played the strings right off his guitar. The trips were made special because Bob and Von were both pilots and the flights in our plane got them back in the air again.
Any time spent with folks who share your love of music is time well spent. We will always remember those trips with Von and Bob and we will cherish the memory of them both as truly great friends.
Bob and Anne Sandall
Eddie Jones
July 19, 2014
Bob I enjoyed viewing your wonderful
fighter plane collection. You were a
wonderful friend for so many years. You
will certainly be missed.
July 15, 2014
To Cindy, Kimberly and John,
May it bring peace and comfort to you as you read these many messages of respect, friendship and love from your Dad's many friends.
Your Dad lived a full life fully enjoying his many and varied jazz endeavors, traveling here and abroad, learning to fly, pursuing his collection of miniature model airplanes while along the way collecting many friends and admirers. Above all he did his ‘his way' right to the very end.
May the love of God sustain you, the peace of God be with you and the promise of God comfort you during this time of sorrow.
With my deepest sympathy, your Dad's friend and neighbor.
Maureen Otto
Darcy Mazel
July 13, 2014
Dear Bob,
You have left a legacy of warmth, music, laughter and love. I cannot think of a greater gift than that. The world is truly a better place for your being here.
There are many images of you that I will carry within my heart but the twinkle in your eyes may be the one that is the strongest. That memory will always bring a smile. Thank you for that.
My thoughts are with your children; may they all find some comfort knowing how much you are loved and missed.
Darcy
Lenny Mazel
July 12, 2014
Thank you Mr. Bob Simon for heading the effort to create Pikes Peak Jazz And Swing Society back in 1985. It was your foresight and leadership that enabled jazz enthusiasts to gather every second Sunday to enjoy live jazz music, and every Wednesday evening during the summer to enjoy free outdoor concerts. Those undertakings have continued uninterrupted to the present day, while the organization's activities have expanded to presenting or participating in more than 50 special concerts and events, the granting of monetary awards to exceptional high school students with the Danny Stevenson Memorial Scholarship (1988-present) and the Alice Fund/PPJASS High School Jazz Vocalist Competition (2002-2007), recognition of professional musicians through the Alice Award (1996-present), and mentor programs for students elementary through college. The remainder of this year's PPJASS Jazz In The Parks concerts and Second Sunday Jazz Affairs, and the January 2015 30th Birthday Party, will be dedicated to you. You will be missed, but your legacy lives on. You were a good man, and a good friend.
Gisela Haines
July 11, 2014
My deepest sympathy to Bob's family on his passing so unexpected. We will all miss him, his knowledge of jazz and humor. RIP, Bob!
Wayne Wilkinson
July 11, 2014
Bob was always supportive of the local jazz musicians, me included. Wonderful man and did more for this city regarding jazz than anyone will ever know. He and Von were dear friends and he will be greatly missed!
July 11, 2014
Bob, we will miss your sense of humor and great knowledge of jazz. May you rest in peace.
Bob and Jean Lohse
Sugar Cuff-Beamer
July 8, 2014
My heart felt thoughts go out to Cynthia - Kim and my dear friend Little John. Mr Simon was a very talented and interesting person. May he Swing amoungst the angels.
Sugar Cuff-Beamer
July 8, 2014
We will miss you Bob. Remembering the beginning days of our Jazz at your house./ Thanks for all you have done and Blessings to you and yours, Luv ya Peggy
July 7, 2014
Bob...you are so missed and will always be in my heart.
Patti
Ann Petrocelli
July 6, 2014
My Dear Friend Bob,
Who has said first the comment " we are here today and tomorrow we are gone'? This is the way you have left our lives. Just like a bird, you flew the nest of your remaining friends and we all feel lost without your presence. I believe that we should be grateful for having you all those years that we have spent together and especially the last four days the six of us spent together in Lincoln, NE, visiting our friends Patti and Dan DeMuth. Those especially will be unforgettable. We mourn your passing and our loss and we share this sorrow with your children whom we have been fortunate to meet. Rest in peace, my friend and you will never be forgotten.
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