Rich Simmons 1941 - 2014

Rich Simmons of Quartz Valley died peacefully on December 18th, 2014 with his family by his side. Rich was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1941 to Wray and Orpha Simmons. When Rich was a child, they moved to California. Growing up, Rich spent a lot of time at the family cabin on Cobb Mountain with his favorite person, his Uncle Marshall.
After graduating from Sir Francis Drake High School, Rich married the one and only love of his life, Linda (Linny,) in June 1960. He built them a custom home in Wood Acre, California where Rich worked in the area for Holtzinger Bros as an Operating Engineer. After retiring from there, Rich and his family moved to Santa Rosa California where Rich ran Pioneer Concrete. After 10 years, Rich retired from the Teamsters Union and moved his family to Quartz Valley in 1976 where, as a family, they built their unique, one-of-a-kind home.
Some of Rich’s passions were restoration of his Stearman airplanes, his custom 57 Pan Head Harley, antique car restoration, camping, hiking, four wheeling, mining, dirt bike riding, history and architecture. Rich loved family gatherings and everything the outdoors had to offer. Those who knew him well considered him “Stronger Than Steel- the forever kind of man that nothing happens to.”
Rich was a very proud, kind and devoted man who always put his family first. He worked hard and played even harder. He leaves behind his wife of 54 years, Linda Simmons; his son, Shane Simmons and his wife, Ann Marie of Georgetown, California; his daughter, Shelly Chiles and her husband, Steve of Key West, Florida, and two grandchildren, Stevie Chiles and Shastina Chiles, also of Key West, Florida. Rich also leaves behind his two brothers, Dan and Ron Simmons, and a special family friend, Jim Gydesen. He will be dearly missed.

Rich and Linda Simmons have belonged to and supported SVPA virtually since its inception in 1995. Clear skies and fair winds, Rich!