Thomas Grange Simons VI

Almost 9 years ago, We came to look at a house that was for sale. We couldn´t really see the back yard, and Rovie let us into his, so we could peep over the fence. And so we got a home and a great neighbor and a friend. It´s still hard to walk by that opening in the fence, over which so many jokes were cracked, seeds exchanged and kind and supporting words said. A couple of weeks ago, the girls saw the lights in the house and got really excited. "Rovie is back!", they shouted. They adored...

Rovie. A tall mane of blonde hair, a universe of sarcasm, wit, and gentle ways. We met at EPA, probably outside one of our crappy buildings where you almost got mugged every day. He was just brimming with some kind of good mischief- like he was on the verge of some private revolution. Rovie came out to Seattle to visit us when he was working on the vermiculite mine in Libby, MT, and always had THE best stories- we hiked in the metallic crisp of the country, got soaked on Mt. Rainier in the...

I didn't have the opportunity to get to know Rovie beyond seeing him on alternate years with my cousin Vicki--his wife--at our Hundley Family Reunions. They were such a loving couple, always a supportive presence. I learned more about their lives through Cousin Vicki's Facebook posts. It was there that I read about milestones in their shared life and had the sense of a continuity of aims and values and compassion that seemed unshakeable. It's good to know that Rovie's spirit is alive and...

I knew Rovie since I was 13, spending summers at the lake. We were part of a group of friends and we all corresponded by letters during the winter months when we couldn´t see each other (that is, until we were driving age and met for some winter fun at The lake). Then, I had the good fortune to be his and Vicki´s next door neighbor. I guess I always thought he´d be my next door neighbor...His quick smile, easy laughter, mischievous twinkle in his eyes and big heart will always be my memory of...

I´m very sorry to hear of Rovie´s passing. My dad and his mom spent their summers growing up at Big Bowman. I met Rovie and Vicki a few times when I rented a camp for several summers. Always friendly and kind. Rovie will be missed.