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Dr. DAVID WILLIAM SIME

1936 - 2016

BORN

1936

DIED

2016

DAVID SIME Obituary

SIME, Dr. DAVID WILLIAM, 79, died Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach following a long battle with cancer. He leaves his wife of 17 years, Ileana Sime and her children Silvio, Raquel and grandchild Madison Estrella. With his first wife Betty Sime, he leaves his eldest daughter, Sherrie and her husband Rick Giusto, their children, Ali, Jenna and Chris; his son Scott Sime and his wife Belinda, and their daughter Amber; his youngest daughter Lisa and her husband Ed McCaffrey, their four sons Max, Christian, Dylan and Luke; and many close friends. He was born and raised in Patterson, New Jersey, the son of Charles and Evelyn Sime. His beloved younger brother Ricky died tragically in a baseball accident at the age of 8 in New Jersey. David lived most of his life in Miami, Florida. He was holder of nine world track records (outdoor: 100 and 200 meter dashes, 100 and 220 yd dashes, and the 220 yd low hurdles; indoor: 100, 80, 70, 60 yd dashes) was once described as "one of the fastest humans of all time" and was named by Sports Illustrated as "Superman in Spikes." He won a Silver Medal in the 100 meter dash at the 1960 Rome Olympic Game, all while attending Duke University Medical School. Sime wasn't just fast, he was also a champion broad jumper and discus thrower, the 1950 Silver Skates Derby Junior Novice Champion at Madison Square Garden, a basketball star, the 1958 Atlantic Coast Conference javelin throwing champion, an All-American center fielder turning down many Major League Baseball offers, ACC Athlete of the Year in 1956, and a football player for Duke who drafted in 1959, but never played for, the Detroit Lions. He was an Inductee of the USA Track & Field, New Jersey, and North Carolina Sports Halls of Fame, and finally in 2010, Duke named him their most outstanding athlete of the 20th century. Following his residency at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Sime practiced ophthalmology in Miami, Florida and was a pioneer in Laser Eye Surgery. He was the Miami Dolphins team physician during the 1972 "Perfect Season" remaining close friends with Coach Don Shula and Bob Griese. A bon vivant and adrenalin junkie, Sime enjoyed playing Tennis, Inline Skating, Cycling, Wind Surfing, Helicopter Skiing, Flying, Shooting, Sailing, Body Surfing, world traveling (most recently kayaking between glaciers in the Chilean Straits of Magellan) and was an avid reader sometimes consuming up to 3 books a week. He enjoyed Golf and was a longtime member of Indian Creek Country Club in Miami Beach, and also the Elk River Club in Banner Elk, North Carolina. A private memorial celebration to take place in Miami, Florida. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Shriners Hospital for Children. www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by the Miami Herald on Jan. 15, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for DAVID SIME

33 Entries

CHARLES CANDLER SADLER

May 19, 2024

Dr. David Sime was a good friend of my family on Allendale. His parents lived next door and used to play Big Band Music for my parents ERNIE AND BUNNY. my mother used to play doubles tennis with Betty Sime at the Sonesta. I used to play soccer with Scott Sime at the old key biscayne soccer field with Coach Ralph Foster and his muscle car 400 big block Grand Am. We would go to the Beach Basket and see EGG in his office. how I loved Florida.

Kim Newlin

January 9, 2023

He used to live on on the Key and was our Opthamologist for almost 30 years. We were his last patients on the dayy he retired.

Beverly & Kim Newlin

September 16, 2022

Dr Sime was our Ophthalmologist from 1978 until he retired. We were his last patients on his last day he retired. We knew him & his family from Key Biscayne where where we lived for almost 30 years. He is missed and remembered.

Gerald Pinnas

January 17, 2016

Susan & I were saddened to learn of David's passing. He was a super guy, both extremely intelligent and a gifted athlete. We will miss him.

March 21, 2016

the coca-cola kid and his parents were next door neighbors to Dr.David Sime parents on Allendale on Key Biscayne. Charles Sime liked playing Big Band music.Went to school with Scott and his siister. Charlie Sadler

michael melanefy

January 24, 2016

Very sad today to hear of Davids passing. What an unbelievable athlete, and a wonderful man, and an amazing tennis player. Played against him many lunchtimes at La Gorce Country club. My deepest condolences to all the Family

Andy Garcia III

January 24, 2016

Dave was a life long friend that I have known for a very long time here on the Key. Not only do I remember hanging out with him, Betty and the kids I also remember how he took care of me and all of his patients. There will only be one Dave. He saved me over 25 years ago from going down a very dark path and a lot of what I have today is a result of a call he made to my Dad concerned about me. God placed him in my life that day for a reason so Dave thank you for that.Your legacy will remain for ever and ever and I can say with out a doubt you are loved by me and many others. Rest in piece my friend and continue to watch over me. Love Andy III

January 21, 2016

Ileana, our sympathies go out to you and your family. Dave was a wonderful man and a very good friend. We will sorely miss his passion, humor and friendship. You remain in our thoughts and prayers.

Becky and George Koehn

Peter Kerwin

January 21, 2016

I have known Dave Sime, his dad, Chuck and his mom, Evelyn since the 5th grade in school dating back to 1946. We were part of a small group of friends who played sports,spent time at our family homes and generally "hung out" together. We all went through school together in Fairlawn and kept in touch when school was over. When Dave moved to Miami in 1963, we spent a lot of time together, like spending Hurricane Cleo in 1964 at our house in Miramar, helped him move to Key Biscayne and took his Mom to lunch after his Dad died. It was a tragic call from his wife, Ileana, after we thought he was getting better after surgery just a few days earlier. Marcia and I will miss him very much.
Peter and Marcia Kerwin

Jim Stewart

January 20, 2016

As a high school sprinter in Nebraska Dave Sime was my idol. I copied his running style and famous lean at the tape. I still have the SI issue "Superman In Spikes" after all these years. RIP "Superman".
Jim Stewart - Jacksonville Beach, FL

January 20, 2016

After moving to NC in the mid-70's, I kept Dr. Sime as my eye doctor and saw him every year until he retired. As a UNC grad, we always had a few words about the Duke-UNC rivalry. what a great man! Condolences to the entire family. Bill Wisdom, Salisbury NC

January 20, 2016

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Dave was a warrior through his ongoing battles with cancer and your were his biggest and staunchest defender during the entire ordeal. My heart is with you. He and Tom are playing golf in the Great Beyond.

Yvonne

Scott Miller

January 18, 2016

My sincere condolences to all the Sime family on Dave's passing.His love for his family was his foundation.
Dave was a wonderful neighbor,great friend,tennis buddy and my Dad's and my doctor.
Dave was a true renaissance man.
I will cherish his memory.
May he rest in peace.

Peter Schmitt

January 17, 2016

Dear Ileana,

I don't know if you remember my mother Evelyn--who died Jan. 12, 2014, exactly two years before David--but she, my late father Gordon (d. 1996), my brother Robert and myself were patients for many years (Brickell, Aventura) until David's retirement. We were all very fond of him both as a doctor and as a man, and I know he fought his illness with every bit of those remarkable energies that he brought to each pursuit. My condolences to you and your family at this time both sad but celebratory.

Peter Schmitt
Miami, FL

Ron Cronk

January 16, 2016

Dave was my 2nd cousin. I didn't know him personally but always enjoyed following his athletic and medical careers. He never received the acclaim he deserved but, nevertheless, was perhaps the greatest amateur athlete of his day. Rest in peace, cousin Dave.

Max Wyler

January 16, 2016

Lots of great memories of Dr. Sime, he was always intense and always focused! Love Lisa's stories of learning to snow ski with her father, Sherri's stories about her father helping her tennis game and his observations when Scott wrestled In high school but ultimately he will be remembered for the great kids he and Betty raised, Sherri, Scott and Lisa, good people!

Marie Tas

January 16, 2016

I was in Daves 1954 Fairlawn , NJ High School graduating class.
I followed his career and was proud to have known him. He was a unique person.

Mary Shafey

January 16, 2016

You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Sherif and Dave were neighbors and colleagues for years. May your memories comfort you.

Victor Wong Chong

January 16, 2016

Dr.Sime was a perfect example of the word Gentleman! Always quiet and reserved,softspoken and polite to everyone he encountered. Hadn't you known the history behind this amazing man, you would'nt have imagined that one person could accomplish so much in a lifetime! An amazing Surgeon, Athlete, but more important a kind and humble human being. It was a pleasure working alongside him, and as many of those who knew him would agree, we are all better off for having known him. Rest in Peace my friend! Thanks for the memories.

January 16, 2016

My prayers and love go out to the Sime family , Marjorie Blank

JoAnn Young

January 15, 2016

Joe & I are so sorry about your loss. You & David were so kind to my Mom & I, as David was our Doctor & friend.

January 15, 2016

I met Dave through my father in law, Dick Elias. They were special friends and had a special bond. Dave was larger than life and a funny, funny joke teller. I loved my time on the golf course w him and his contagious laugh. Special guy ... Talent ... And human being. - Flint McNaughton (Charlotte, NC via Miami, FL)

Charles Bernstein

January 15, 2016

Dr. Sime was my parents' and my ophthalmologist for many years and he saved our eyesight through a number of surgical procedures, for which we were very grateful to him. He had a cute saying after each of us would read the eye chart: "You see well enough to fly the space shuttle."

Bill Engelhardt

January 15, 2016

My twin brother, Dick, and I were 1957 graduates of Fair Lawn High School and well remember Dave's accomplishments on the high school football field. His athletic and professional accomplishments over a lifetime make us all proud to have known him and to have been fellow Fair Lawnites. May he rest in peace!

Ronald Ulinsky

January 15, 2016

Dave was a neighbor of mine while growing up in Fair Lawn NJ. He always had time to spend with us kids I still admire him for all of his achievements. Thank you David.

Oscar Vega

January 15, 2016

Sorry for your losss. Our deepest condolences to the entire family.

Barbara Baker Beahn

January 15, 2016

Ileana:
Ray and I send our deepest sympathies to you on your loss of Dave. He was our all-time favorite wild man! Wonderful athlete (and golf partner), fabulous jokes and stories. We'll really miss him.

Alfred Derrow,MD

January 15, 2016

Sorry for your loss.Dave was a great guy&classmate.Will always remember him.

Alfie Derrow,[FLHS'54].

Joseph Kolojejchick

January 15, 2016

Deares Ileana and entire family we extend our deepest sympathy. I so enjoyed with Dr Sime at mercy hospital. He had such a great sense of humor and was an outstanding person , Doctor ,Athlete ,Friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and will keep his memory alive in our hearts. Our deepest condolences . Jeffrey Lapin and Joseph Kolojejchick

Susan Neuman

January 15, 2016

He was my eye eye doctor and my mother, Elsie G. Neuman, until he retired. We missed him. I would love to attend the Memorial Service to pay respects to the family, if possible.....305-588-3936.

Dick Engelhardt

January 15, 2016

I vividly remember Dave being the star of Coach Frank Bennett's 1953 Bergen-Passaic Interscholastic League (B-PIL) and State co-champion Fair Lawn High School (NJ) Football team. I am the FLHS Football announcer and writer of THE GRIDIRON column about FLHS football. We in Fair Lawn and members of the FLHS Athletic Hall Of Fame will always remember Dave Sime.

Wayne Van Olden

January 15, 2016

Rest well my good friend. We shared stories and laughs for over 70 years and in the end that, is friendship. Condolences to the entire Sime Family as we share in your loss.

Maria Herbert

January 15, 2016

Willy and my deepest condolences go out to the entire family! We were neighbors for years, and have many fond memories! God bless you all!

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