"Bob" James Robert Simonsen — 80, passed away on June 24, 2009 in Hampton, Virginia. Bob was presented a LIFETIME membership in the Peninsula Pathfinders of Virginia for his dedicated and continued service to the club. Even when undergoing dialysis, Bob was always there for the club.
He was also a member of the Virginia Vagabonds and the Gators Volksmarsch Club.
As a Pathfinder he was a Vice President, Secretary, a Volunteer Coordinator and the Equipment Chairman and Checkpoint Chairman.
Bob was well known and loved in the Tidewater Area of Virginia and he will be missed!
He was presented the AVA Certificate of Service Award in 1995 & 2001 and the Atlantic Region Volunteer Service Award in 2004.
The COMPASS, official newsletter for the Peninsula Pathfinders of Virginia - - Bob was a dedicated Volksmarch VOLUNTEER. He always was helping the club, even this year when he was undergoing dialysis. He called the week of the walk and wanted to know what day we were meeting to pick up equipment. You could count on Bob to be there for the club. Bob cared about the Pathfinders and will be missed.
The VAST TRAILS TRAVELER, official newsletter for the Virginia Vagabonds - - We lost a good friend, a dedicated volkssporter, and a man whose achievements in this life time are astounding. Bob Simonsen, husband of Joanna Simonsen, pass over and is now walking events among “The Great Walking Trails in the Sky” on June 24, 2009. His memorial service was held July 7th at Grace United Methodist Church in Newport News. Bob was a member of the Virginia Vagabonds and the Gators. He was a Life Time Member of the Peninsula Pathfinders. We will all miss Bob!
NEWPORT NEWS - James Robert Simonsen, 80, passed away on Wednesday, June 24, 2009, at Riverside Regional Medical Center.
Born in Ferndale, Michigan, he had made his home on the Peninsula for the past 50 years. He was a graduate of the University of Michigan and an Army Veteran of WWII. He was employed by BASF Corp. as a Chemical Engineer and retired in 1989 with 30 years of service. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, the Peninsula Pathfinders, the Lifelong Learning Society at CNU and was a member of the Democratic City Committee of Newport News.
Mr. Simonsen was preceded in death by his parents, Jens and Edel; stepmother, Marie; and brother, Frank E. Simonsen.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Joanna A. Simonsen; their son, Jimmy Simonsen and his wife, Christine of Newport News; their daughter, Anne White and her husband, Emmit, and their children, Molly, Josh, and Joel, all of Yorktown; his brothers, Richard A. Simonsen and his wife, Melba, of California and John F. Simonsen and his wife, Jan, of Florida; his sister, Joyce Neilsen of Florida; his sister-in-law, Corrine Simonsen of Michigan; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 7, 2009, at Grace United Methodist Church by the Rev. Helen Casey-Rutland. Interment will be private.
In Bob's memory, donations may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 1209 Country Club Rd., Newport News, Virginia 23606 or Habitat for Humanity, 809 Main St., Suite #105, Newport News, Virginia 23605.