Robert E. Simmons

Simmons, Robert, age 88 of Dearborn, March 26, 2013. Beloved husband of the late Genevieve. Loving father of Robert (Jean), Michael (Rose), Kit (Roger) Freudenberg, Shaila (Brian Blair) Simmons, Stephen (Kimberly), Jennifer (Michael) Walch, Frank (K.C.) Simmons. Dear grandfather of twelve. Great-Grandfather of four. Gathering Thurs 4-9 PM at Vermeulen Funeral Home, 46401 West Ann Arbor Road (btwn Sheldon & Beck) Plymouth. Instate Thurs 9:30 AM until the 10:00 AM Funeral Service at Resurrection Church, 48755 Warren Rd., Canton. Interment Great Lakes National Cemetery at a later date. Family Obit: Son of Edward and Harriet McMahon Simmons, born 19 Feb 1925 in Chicago, Illinois, died 26 March 2013 in Dearborn, Michigan. Bob was raised in Portage, Wisconsin, surrounded by his large extended Irish-Catholic family which included his mother, sister Betty, and five uncles and four aunts. After graduation at Portage High School in 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Army at Fort Custer, Michigan. Assigned to the 42nd Division/Rainbow Division, he served as a heavy machine gunner/heavy weapons platoon in Company K, 242nd Regimental Combat Team in France. He was wounded in action near Haguenau, Alsaceduring the German North Wind Offensive in the Hardt Forest in January 1945. He earned the Bronze Star (Oak Leaf Cluster), Purple Heart (Oak Leaf Cluster), Prisoner of War, Good Conduct, American Defense, European African Middle Eastern, and World War II Victory medals; Combat Infantry Badge and Paratrooper Jump Wings. After extended stay in military hospital facilities in Kansas and Missouri, he made his way westward to marry the love of his life, Genevieve Oakes of Yuba City, California, in December 1945. They attended Yuba City Community College and then transferred to Stanford University where Bob graduated with his BA, MA and PhD in German Language and Literature in 1955. With a family of 4 small children, Bob and Gene set up their home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Bob taught at Marquette University from 1955-1960. They then moved with 5 growing children to Rochester, Michigan and Bob joined the faculty at Michigan State University Oakland and taught German, Literature and History. MSUO grew into Oakland University and the family grew to seven children. He remained at OU as Professor, Chairman of the Modern Languages Department and Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences until his retirement in 1986. With children scattered over the country and globe, Bob and Gene spent retirement in Michigan, Florida and traveling around with the countryside, touring historic and Civil War sites, reading good books, bird watching and visiting grown children and new grandchildren. The Simmons family include: Bob and Jean Simmons (Royal Oak, MI), Michael and Rose Simmons (Seattle, WA), Kit and Roger Freudenberg (Jefferson City, MO), Shaila Simmons and Brian Blair (Colfax, IL), Steve and Kim Simmons (Davisburg, MI), Jeni and Michael Walch (Canton, MI), and Frank and KC Simmons (Montara, CA) plus 12 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the Simmons Family asks for contributions to Oakland University in memory of Bob Simmons to support student international travel. Checks may be mailed to Christen Clarke, Dean’s Office, 217 Varner Hall, Oakland University, Rochester, MI 48309. (Checks payable to: Oakland University). To share a memory please use the View and Send Condolences tab on this web page.

Robert E. Simmons

February 19, 1925 - March 26, 2013