Edwin R. Simonsen

Edwin R Simonsen (Ed), devoted husband, father, and grandfather, passed away Saturday, January 17th, 2026, after complications from a fall last October, and will be dearly missed.

Ed was born on July 6th, 1936, in Mt Vernon, NY. He attended public school in Mt Vernon and then Martin Van Buren High School in Kinderhook, NY, after his family relocated there in 1945. Ed enjoyed his time at Martin Van Buren and in Kinderhook a great deal. Ed's experiences led him to understand the importance of community and neighbors helping neighbors, as well as the importance of the natural environment. He spoke very positively of his school instructors, his education, and that, combined with the influence of family friends, guided him in his choice of professions. Additionally, he came to understand the importance of civic involvement and the necessity of "doing the right thing". Many of those relationships, whether schoolmates or neighbors, continue to this day.

In 1953, despite his family moving back south to Yonkers, NY, Ed stayed with his Aunt and Uncle in Kinderhook until his high school graduation in 1954. After graduation, Ed joined his family in Yonkers and continued his education at Concordia College in Bronxville, NY.

Ed's first formal employment was with Union Carbide at the Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research in Yonkers. There, he met his future wife, Barbara (Angeletti). Ed and Barbara married in 1958 and happily shared 67 years together.

Ed continued his college education at night, where he studied chemistry at Columbia University while simultaneously working. His studies at Columbia began in 1957, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in chemistry.

After getting married, Ed and Barbara moved to Dobbs Ferry, NY. Ed continued his employment with Union Carbide as a laboratory chemist in Eastview.

Ed and Barbara raised four children together, first in Dobbs Ferry, then moving to the Town of Lewisboro in 1966. In 1971, Ed left Union Carbide and continued his college education full-time at Columbia University, and later Teachers College, where he obtained his Master's degree in education. Upon graduation, he began his career as a chemistry teacher at Irvington High School in the Village of Irvington, NY.

In 1992, Ed retired from teaching, and he and Barbara moved to their new home in Kinderhook. During his retirement, Ed baled hay used by local horse farms, and grew a large family garden annually. He volunteered as a member of the Town of Kinderhook Planning Board, Town Board, Comprehensive Plan Committee, and the Columbia County Emergency Management Council. Ed dedicated a remarkable amount of time to preserving the rural character of the community.

Ed was an ardent supporter of the interests and successes of his children and, later, his grandchildren. He followed and supported their passions, whether it was sports, science, the performing arts, and certainly their academic successes. Much like his ancestors, he remained materially and emotionally supportive of those around him. He was always willing to share his joys and interests with others. He enjoyed machinery, agricultural equipment, and especially stationary engines reminiscent of farm life before rural electrification. Along with his good friends, Ed displayed his engines at the Chatham fair, as well as at other local fairs and events.

Ed was enormously devoted to his family, from which he derived great joy. He is survived by his wife Barbara (Angeletti), children Chris and his partner Diane Hammon, Lissen, and Peter, son-in-law Phil Bryan, grandchildren Laura Bryan (Michael Ellison), Peter Bryan, Claire, and Charlie Simonsen. He is also survived by cousins Robert Roper, George Cortright, Joy Smerek (Sam Smerek), Joan Simpson, Howard (Marjorie) and Paul Spina (Susan) and nephews Norman and Eric Simonsen.

Ed was predeceased by his father and mother, Edwin and Harriet Simonsen, his brother, Norman Simonsen, his daughter Kathryn Bryan (Simonsen), and his niece Amy Simonsen.

Ed will be immensely missed by those who knew and loved him. He is and forever will be in our thoughts, and we hope that he is at peace and knows how much he was loved and meant to each and every one of us.

Friends are invited and may call from 11 – 1:30 PM, Monday, January 26, 2026 at the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, Rt. 9, Valatie, NY. A funeral service will follow at 1:30 PM at the funeral home and burial will be at the Kinderhook Cemetery, Kinderhook, NY.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Mac-Hayden Theater in Chatham, or the Chatham Central School District Music Department c/o Treasurer.