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H. Alan Sims

1932 - 2017

H. Alan Sims obituary, 1932-2017, Sacramento, CA

BORN

1932

DIED

2017

H. Sims Obituary

Alan passed away peacefully in Citrus Heights, California on 8/26/17. He was born 4/12/32 to Harry & Helen Sims in Los Angeles, California. He is survived by his sister, Janice Budd. Prior to his teaching career, Alan spent several years in television in children's programming and before that touring 5 years with a national children's theater company. After retirement, he spent time as a steamship historian, a writer and a volunteer at the California State Railroad Museum and Sutter's Fort. Ocean liners were his love where he often lectured. When asked he told many "The only thing better than talking about ships is talking about them while aboard one!" There will be no services.

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

Published by The Sacramento Bee on Sep. 3, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
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Angelo Bunac

June 2, 2021

I was a new student in 1981.
My English skills were way under par.
Mr. Sims gave me his personal phone number to call if I needed any help. I thought that was great.
I was just looking him up to tell him I wrote a book and it’s published.

Kevin Bunker

July 19, 2018

There have been many friends in my life that have come and gone over time. Alan was one in the higher ranks of very special friends. Being able to return so many of his gracious gestures and favors by bringing him along as my guest on a 10-days trip aboard the vintage sternwheel steamboat 'Delta Queen' from Nashville to Pittsburgh via Cincinnati (back in October 2004) was a major treat. Alan saw the 'Queen' late in her California career on the Sacramento River, but never got to travel aboard her or her twin 'Delta King.' How glad I was to be able to give him that belated pleasure of "Steamboatin'" and enjoy his company that much at the same time.

February 7, 2018

I am sorry to hear of Alan's passing. He was a dedicated tutor for many years in the Sacramento Public Library Literacy Program. His broader knowledge of other subjects was amazing as well. This world is a better place because of him and he will truly be missed. Judith Alvi, Sacramento Public Library

November 21, 2017

In addition to having memories of Mr. Sims as a teacher, there are memories of Mr. Al's Story and of O.U.Squid. He touched so many lives!

Kathy Schleip (Shannon)

September 9, 2017

RIP Mr. Sims. He was my favorite teacher in high school. It was cool knowing he used to be Ronald McDonald back in the 60's. He was a kind caring man and teacher. He will be missed by many.

Vera Brown

September 9, 2017

I fondly remember Mr. Sims. A true teacher, and a kind soul. RIP, and thanks for the memories.

Kevin Busath

September 7, 2017

My first introduction to Alan was as my Sac High senior composition teacher. He infected me with his love of ships and maritime history which I have to this day. Partly because of this shared interest, Alan became a close friend and ultimately a friend of the family. As long as I was still in Sacramento, we made frequent trips to San Francisco to inspect visiting liners.

Alan loved to talk, but you never minded because he was a treasure trove of interesting stories - from his varied career, his childhood and his travels. I, too, regret that "If It Floats, I'm Sunk" never got published. It was a good read.

Among his many other attributes was his incredible generosity. You only had to admire something of his and he would ask if you wanted it. I am a major beneficiary of his generosity, having received his ocean liner memorabilia collection some years ago - despite my protestations that he should continue to enjoy the collection until it was an issue for his estate.

Alan, you will be sorely missed.

Richard Fehlman

September 7, 2017

He was also Ronald McDonald in the late 60's! After one of our reunions he nicely sent me a bunch of his early clippings. And he had O. U. Squid in his closet!

Mike Seto

September 7, 2017

Mr. Sims was one of my favorite persons, not just as a wonderful Sac High English teacher. He was such a gentle soul. I'm glad I got to talk with him in his later years.

Tom Angelo

September 7, 2017

Alan Sims was a dedicated, talented and generous teacher to generations of students at Sacramento High School -- including me in the Class of '71. His lifelong passion for stories -- literature, history, and drama -- was infectious and inspiring and is the legacy he gifted us with.

Bruce Nelson

September 7, 2017

I had Mr.Sims for public speaking at Sac High.He was a great teacher and he is the one who convinced me that I could put more than two words together that made sense

Eva Kim Laurent

September 6, 2017

I knew Mr. Sims when I was little. He had a story hour at McKinley Library. I enjoyed his stories so much. Years later he was a teacher at Sac Hi. A loved teacher. Then he was my very friendly neighbor when I lived in midtown. He was a joy to know. He will be missed.

Alan Kobayashi

September 6, 2017

Mr. Sims was my teacher at Sacramento High School. He was an entertaining, soft spoken, and motivating instructor!

One very specific memory I have of his classroom lecture was: "Cheese and Crackers...Cheese and Crackers." Mr. Sims told us that this was the line of dialogue that a group of actors would recite (in the background of a scene) and the collective sound would replicate random conversations!

Don't ask me why, but I never forgot that little acting tidbit of information.

You will be greatly missed by all of us Baby Boomers that were fortunate enough to have you as a teacher and a role model.

Sacramento High School - Class of 1979

Jenny Green

September 5, 2017

I had Mr. Sims for a writing class at Sac High. I loved being in that class because he was such a great teacher and gentle soul. I had the chance to thank him later in my career as a teacher when my class visited the Railroad Museum where he was a docent. You are remembered fondly, Mr. Sims.

Mister Lobo

September 4, 2017

Before Bob Wilkins! He was Sacramento's earliest Horror Host that I know of! "Alan the Ghoul" hosted Mystery Mansion on KXTV from a Rocking Chair and Sometimes a Rattan Chair...he had a skull as a sidekick and stock footage of the Governor's mansion in Sacramento stood in for his Mystery Mansion in exterior shots. NO footage exists. I have some copies of photos, scripts, and fake telegrams somewhere in my files from when we met in the 1990's. Alan Sims gave these to me and Scott Moon when we interviewed him for PLANET X MAGAZINE about his involvement--as puppet Octopus O.U. Squid--with the local version of the kids show DIVER DAN. (Syndicated show DIVER DAN, Like BOZO, gave local markets the option of developing their own DIVER DAN host to interact with local kids and present the filmed show and cartoons.) ALAN also read the SUNDAY FUNNIES from the newspaper on TV. Each week, Alan read one copy of the paper live on camera
doing all the voices, while another copy was displayed upright on a board and filmed with a 2nd camera. In his later years, he was a volunteer at the Railroad Museum and inspired and entertained countless kids of all ages in his lifetime! RIP Alan Sims! It was so great to learn about your work as it seems almost none of this is on the internet!

Scott Moon

September 4, 2017

In 1998, I had the pleasure of interviewing Alan for an article I was writing on Diver Dan. Besides being a great guy, he was an important part of early local television. Long live O.U. Squid!

Roy Bishop

September 3, 2017

Alan, bless you for being on this earth for the time you were here. You brought joy to all who knew you. We will miss you.

Larry Adams

September 3, 2017

It is an honor to have known such a kind, genuine and gentle person. It is a shame that your book - If It Floats, I'm Sunk - never quite made it to publication. The chapter copies I have are a delight to read. You will be missed by many.

September 3, 2017

Alan was an incredible clever raconteur
and a dear friend. I will miss him for
his upbeat personality and clever comments and as a wonderful friend.

LSchlachter,MD

Mary Lou and Ken Lentz

September 3, 2017

What a loss. A great guy and a great friend

gary & barbara cheiatl

September 3, 2017

we'll miss you Al as will our kids Mark (deceased) and Matt. Will always remember the bike rides together.

Showing 1 - 21 of 21 results

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