Charles Edward Simons, MD

Dr. Charles Edward Simons, Jr., passed away September 10, 2011 in Shoreline at the age of 88. He was born on April 19, 1923 in Missoula, MT to Charles Edward and Lillian Olivia Rock Simons. He attended the University of Montana as a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity until his military enlistment in 1942. Ed saw active service in Pattons Third Army in Europe from 1943 through 1946. After receiving his medical degree at the University of Washington in 1951, he served his country again during the Korean War as medical officer. He was honorably discharged as Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve in 1961. Ed completed his residency in Urology and Surgery at University Hospital in Baltimore, MD, and moved to Seattle In 1957. For 37 years, Ed was a Urologist and surgeon in private practice in Seattle and Edmonds. He was an active member and officer in several professional societies, including the King County Medical Association and Seattle Surgical Society. He served as Clinical Professor of Urology at the University of Washington Medical School and was later honored as Professor Emeritus. Following his retirement at age 72, Ed enjoyed many active years at his home in Woodway, WA. He loved to entertain friends and family both at home and at The Rainier Club, and he continued to serve his community through participation in the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Snohomish County Planning Commission. Ed was an avid sportsman and fisherman, botanist, and board member of the University of Washington Arboretum Foundation, and his lifelong love of nature, nurtured by boyhood days in Montana, found expression in expeditions along the West Coast of the United States and Canada, and overseas, in the Himalayas and British Isles. Ed was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Carol, of Woodway, by their seven children: Spencer (Alexandra) Simons of Houston, TX; Norman (Nancy) Simons of Broken Arrow, OK; Leslie Simons of Woodway; Sabra (Richard) Contreras of Edmonds; Lucy (Daniel) Greenfield of Seattle; Bardon (Darleen) Simons of Anchorage AK; and Victoria Simons (Jeff Stone) of Seattle, and by their 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. In Montana, Ed is survived by his sister Frances (Frank) Bernatz of Missoula, two nieces, and numerous cousins. Ed was laid to rest on Saturday, September 17, 2011 at the Missoula City Cemetery. Announcement: Memorial donations may be made to The Arboretum Foundation, 2300 Arboretum Drive East, Seattle, WA 98112, or at www.arboretumfoundation.org.