Michael E. Simon

Michael (Mike) Simon, 95, of Fairfax, Virginia

Mike was born in 1929 and raised in the Bronx, the only child of Rose and William Simon who were first-generation immigrants from Prussia. In addition to becoming an avid New York Giants baseball fan, Mike achieved his parents' American dream by attending college after he graduated from high school at age 16. Mike graduated from Indiana University in 1949, just weeks after marrying LaRee, mother of Lizzie and Dave. They settled in Cleveland. In 1954 Mike took a job as an auditor with the Air Force, which brought him to Los Angeles. He was transferred to the Pentagon in the mid-1960s, eventually becoming the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Accounting and Finance. Mike was then recruited by Arthur Andersen & Co. in the new area of management information systems. Shortly after joining the firm, Mike met Barbara. They were married for 51 years. Mike became a partner in the DC office and then managed the Cleveland office. Several years later, he was transferred to the Chicago headquarters to lead strategic planning efforts. His final position with Arthur Andersen & Co. brought them back to DC, leading the government affairs office. Even after retirement, Mike was active professionally, becoming the Chief Operating Officer of two National Political Conventions.

Mike is survived by his wife Barbara; his children Lizzie Simon (Bill Riley), Robin Cale, and Dave Simon (Kathy Simon); his five grandchildren James (Ali), David and Andrew Slavet, Mark (Natalie), and Laurie Simon; his three great-grandchildren, Noah and Olivia Slavet and Taylor Simon; and his beloved dog, Lola.