Robert E. "Bob" Simmonds

Robert E. "Bob" Simmonds, 83, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at the Decatur County Memorial Hospital in Greensburg after a brief illness. Born, December 4, 1926 in Ripley County, Indiana, he was the son of Robert R. Simmonds and Bessie Mae (Fisher) Wickens. He was married to Rita Mae McIntyre on June 25, 1949 she survives. As a toddler, Mr. Simmonds contracted polio and was confined to the Riley Hospital in Indianapolis for much of his childhood. During this time he was able to meet President Franklin D. Roosevelt who also suffered from polio. He graduated from Greensburg High School in 1946. His adult life was spent in the business of automobiles. He was an employee of Thomas H. Day and also managed the airport property during the 1950's. He owned a Sinclair service station, a body shop and a used car lot. He also worked for Paul Walston and Adrian Scipture's Chrysler dealerships. He retired as shop supervisor for Sharon Brown Trucking. He earned a private pilot's license and was a charter member of the Greensburg Moose Lodge. He enjoyed NASCAR, fixing automobiles, charting his genealogy and telling stories of his exploits with his pals in his younger years. His greatest joy was spending time with his family. He was the proud father of four sons, Stephen (Diane) Simmonds, Robert J. "Butch" (Rhonda) Simmonds, John "J.T." Simmonds, Scott (Brenda) Simmonds; three daughters Nita (Michael) McCoy, Susan (Thomas) Ricke, Cathy (Kevin) Schroeder; a grandson which he raised, Roger Simmonds; 20 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; step father, Albert Wickens; two sisters, Ruth Haley, Betty Banks; one brother, Gerald Simmonds; one grandson, Justin Schroeder. Visitation will be from 4-7:30 p.m. Friday at the Porter-Oliger-Pearson Funeral Home in Greensburg. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 11, 2010 at the Porter-Oliger-Pearson Funeral Home in Greensburg. Interment will be held in the South Park Cemetery in Greensburg. Memorials may be made to the Decatur County Community Foundation for the Simmonds Scholarship Fund.