Obituaries

Obituary: Robert George "Bob" Simon

Waukesha man served in World War II.

Robert George “Bob” Simon, of Waukesha, entered into eternal life on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, at home, surrounded by those he loved, and who loved him at age 87.  Bob was born in Racine, Wisconsin on Dec. 27, 1924, to George Charles and Anna Cecilia (Zak) Simon. 

He grew up in Racine; attending St. Edward’s Elementary and graduated from Washington Park High School.  He joined the United States Marine Corps on March 29, 1943 and served in World War II as a firearms instructor.  He was part of the forces in the battle of Okinawa, and was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant on April 13, 1946.

Bob enrolled in the Stout State Teachers College and attained a Bachelor’s Degree in 1950.  He excelled as a football star while at Stout.  In 1955, he received a Master’s Degree from the University of Minnesota. 

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It was while he was at Stout that he met Jeanne, and they married on June 29, 1948.  Bob, Jeanne and their son moved to Medford, Minnesota in the summer of 1950 where both Bob and Jeanne taught at the local high school for three years. They moved again in the summer of 1953 to Waukesha.  He began his career with the Waukesha School System in the fall of 1953, teaching Industrial Arts. He also coached football and track.  A few years after this, Bob designed and implemented Waukesha High School’s driver’s education program.  Bob retired in 1983.

Bob courageously fought the battle against lymphocytic leukemia for nearly 10 years.  The family would like to extend their appreciation to Dr. Federico Sanchez for his medical assistance and counsel.  In addition, we would like to thank ProHealth Home Hospice.

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Bob is survived by his wife, Jeanne, of 63-½ years. In addition, he is survived by three children - Robert E. (Bonnie) Simon of Madison; Susan (Gary) Page of Waukesha; and Cynthia (Lowell) Argue of Oconomowoc; and three grandsons  - Robert (Debra) Simon of New Berlin; Matthew (Stephanie) Lindstrom of Waukesha; Benjamin (Nicolette) Lindstrom of Waukesha; and one great-grandson – Payton Simon of New Berlin; as well as a sister, Delores Orsted of Racine.  He was preceded in death by his parents, a son-in law Tom Barbeau, and a brother-in-law, Edward Orsted.

A Mass of Christian burial and celebration of Bob’s life will be held on Saturday, March 3 at St. Mary Catholic Church, 225 S. Hartwell Avenue, Waukesha.  Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. and continue until the Mass begins at 12:30 p.m.  Full Military Honors will follow the Mass and a gathering will follow in the church’s community room. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Wisconsin Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 200 S. Executive Drive, Suite 203, Brookfield, WI 53005. 

For further information, please call at 262-547-4035 or go to www.waukeshafunerals.com to leave the family an online tribute message.


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