Richard William Simmons, 84 of Chelsea was called home to be with his Lord on October 19, 2024.
He was born on January 23, 1940 in Wheeling, WV, son of the late Adair C. and Lila M. (Wilson) Simmons.
Richard graduated from Belding High School with the class 1957. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering (1961) and a Master of Science in Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering (1963) from the University of Michigan. He met his beloved wife, Karen E. Briggson of Dexter, MI on a blind date to a dance and they were married on August 27, 1960. They were blessed with 64 years of marriage and three children.
While completing his master’s program, Richard worked on multiple projects related to the early Apollo space missions. He traveled to Cape Canaveral and Ascension Island to participate in rocket launches and testing for NASA. Post-graduation he worked at Bendix Corporation in Southfield, MI for many years and then took a position at Artos Engineering in Milwaukee, WI, working until his retirement in 2005.
The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. on Friday, November 8, 2024, followed by a memorial service and reception at Peace Lutheran Church, 8260 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 with Pastor Andy Pronsati officiating.
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