I went to both high school at the Academy with Simon and college at DePauw. Over the years we walked through a lot of highs and lows together. He could make me laugh, comfort me like a brother (and make me crazy like a brother), but most importantly he knew when to do which (well, most of the time) and always made me feel seen.
I’ve never met anyone who was more competitive at Jenga. I don’t think he ever left our dorm room without breaking something. I both loved it and was a little terrified when he got that mischievous twinkle in his eye. He was kind and loving, brilliant and curious, and I can’t quite wrap my head around a world without Simon in it. I have no idea who I’ll call next time I need someone to explain a black hole to me for the 173rd time.
I’m so thankful that I had the chance to see him and Ginny as parents and meet the boys when they were little. It was clear that being a husband and father was his greatest joy. I wish I’d been better about keeping in touch. I’ll miss my friend, but I’m so thankful for the gift that his friendship was and still is to me.
Ginny, Sam, and Owen, Tom, Noell, Laura, Emily, and Stephen - my heart is with you and the many others that loved Simon. ❤️
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So saddened to hear of Simon’s passing. I’ve enjoyed reading all of the tributes from his colleagues across the internet and was glad to see his wit, humour and kindness throughout the years were just as I remember at DePauw.
This is such a shock and his family is in my thoughts.
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I have so many memories of Simon, my fondest are of the times in between ultimate games where we needed to “kill time”
From pokey (a game of jousting with a single finger, don’t get poked) to betting drinks on random sports. Simon once bet me 23 seconds of chugging that a girl would hit into a double play in double A softball and she did.
He talked me into playing Edward Scissorbeers (not my proudest night) and came up with the idea of doing. Shot at every single bar we passed in the strip on the night of my bachelor party. He was always coming up with something I’d soon regret but always remember!
It saddens me that I let life get in the way these last ten years and didn’t make it to visit him. The last time I saw him the boys were young but you could tell he’d become the amazing dad he was.
Ginny, I love you and I’m so sorry. I’ll remember Simon forever. And I hope to see you soon.
With all my love,
George
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Dear Noelle and Tom, Our deepest Sympathy to you and your family. May you find peace in knowing you will meet again. Your friends, Steve and Linda Beatty
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Tom and Noell and family, I am so sorry for your loss - condolences to you all. Marsha Wicker Hamilton
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To Tom and Noell, and the rest of Simon's family,
I am so sorry to hear of your son's passing. What heartache you must all be going through at this time. My prays and thoughts are with you and your family....may you keep his memories alive in your hearts and know he is with you in spirit always. He is at peace.
So sorry. Love and miss you both.
Rhonda Schwegman
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There have been quite a few instances over the years when I would be mistaken for Simon or him for me: in 2006 at the NVO Summer School in Aspen, my 2-year old daughter eagerly ran up to him expecting a hug and then was in tears when "Daddy" didn't pick her up; at several AAS or LSST meetings, colleagues would come up to me and tell me something important about something he was working on - I would relay their messages to Simon to avoid later confusion. It's sad that these moments will no longer continue.
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So sorry for your loss. Our prayers for you and your family as you grieve and celebrate Simon's life.
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Prayers for peace and comfort for all. Thinking of you during this time. What a remarkable young man! What an impact he made during his time on earth. You remain an amazing family. Sending love and hugs. The Soviar Family in Shelbyville Indiana
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I am so very sorry to hear of Simon's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with all his family and friends. May God bless you and be with you.
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so so sad to hear of Simon's passing. Knew he was battling cancer from Noell's recent card. I don't know how you get through this except with loving and supporting each other. Glad Noell and Tom are with Simon's wife and sons. I'm singing Turn, Turn, Turn in my mind: a time to be born, a time to die, a time to plant, a time to reap, a time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together. Pete Seeger's version of Ecclesiates. Sending love & tears to you all, Jane
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Tom and Noel,
I was so sorry to read about Simon’s passing in the Addison Times this morning. Please accept my whole-hearted sympathy.
Emily Campbell
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I met Simon while running a graduate student orientation at UMaine. He stood out as someone who wanted to help right away and we quickly became fast ultimate friends. Spending time with him was to be enveloped in his good humor and fun, whether it was debating the quality of a movie on his "The Mummy" scale (the worse movie ever in his eyes until Battlefield Earth came out) or "after practice Pub nights", where we all did our best to keep the fledgling Black Bear Brew Pub alive (we did). But his kindness aways struck me, the way he was always there for his friends and strangers.
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So sorry to hear about Simon's passing. He was a great friend at the Academy. I had the pleasure of reconnecting with Simon and his family in Seattle while I was in graduate school and Simon was working at the University of Washington. Lots of fond memories of kids playing together over dinner.
I've enjoyed reading all the memories collected from his work in Tucson. Wonderful to know that Simon had such a positive impact on people wherever he went.
https://community.lsst.org/t/…
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No words. Praying for you guys.
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Dear Tom, Noell, Laura, Emily, and Stephen, So sorry to hear about Simon’s passing. I’m praying for you. Sincere and deepest sympathies.
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Simon's light and joy is one of the highlights of high school at the Academy for me. His kindness is one of the things I will always treasure in my memories.
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Although it's been many years since I've been around Simon, the pictures and these other memories remind me of who I knew: a playful, earnest, clever friend. I will remember him very fondly, and my most heartfelt condolences to those feel his absence the most deeply.
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