# David Simmons - Rest in Peace **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 20, 2008, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-simmons-rest-in-peace/446089 "2008-04-20T05:10:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tim\_Shea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f1d935/32.png) [@Tim\_Shea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_Shea)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-simmons-rest-in-peace/446089/1 "2008-04-20T05:10:11Z")
Dear Dopers, I am sad to report to you that my Uncle Cook, David Simmons, left this world this evening about 1800 hours Pacific Daylight time. I talked to his daughter and she said that he was comfortable and not in any pain. As I have mentioned before, he was really a great guy, and was a great example of how to be for my brothers and I. I will put together a short bio and load it to my webpage in a week or so. I will try to get a few photos too. When I get it loaded, I will sent the link to this list. One of the things that I have done that he was an example for is to become a pilot. It has made my life more rich and alive to “poke holes in the sky”. I have pasted Gillespe Magee’s high flight poem below. High Flight Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long delirious, burning blue, I’ve topped the windswept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or even eagle flew - And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod The high untresspassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand and touched the face of God. Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee No 412 squadron, RCAF Killed 11 December 1941 Fly high Cook. I wish for you smooth air and tailwinds. You will be missed but not forgotten. Tim Shea Santa Cruz, CA ---
**Author:** ![Della](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c68b51/32.png) [@Della](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Della)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-simmons-rest-in-peace/446089/2 "2008-04-20T05:14:12Z")
God bless, Cook. You will be missed. ---
**Author:** ![Suse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@Suse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suse)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-simmons-rest-in-peace/446089/3 "2008-04-20T05:14:15Z")
I’m so sorry to read this. You and your family are in my thoughts. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-simmons-rest-in-peace/446089/4 "2008-04-20T05:15:58Z")
My condolences to your family. Thank you for letting us know. ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-simmons-rest-in-peace/446089/5 "2008-04-20T05:16:50Z")
Very sorry to hear about your loss. He was a very interesting man who added a lot to these boards. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-simmons-rest-in-peace/446089/6 "2008-04-20T05:18:57Z")
I am very sorry. My sincere condolences to you and all your family. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-simmons-rest-in-peace/446089/7 "2008-04-20T05:24:59Z")
I’m sorry for your loss. I’m sorry for our loss. He was one of the good ones. Offer our condolences to his widow, please. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-simmons-rest-in-peace/446089/8 "2008-04-20T05:25:19Z")
I am very sorry to hear this. We are all very lucky people to have encountered him in our lives, even if only in a virtual sense. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-simmons-rest-in-peace/446089/9 "2008-04-20T05:31:43Z")
One of my fave posters. I’m very sorry to hear of his death. Thank you for letting us know. Fly high, Dave. ---
**Author:** ![Faruiza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@Faruiza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Faruiza)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-simmons-rest-in-peace/446089/10 "2008-04-20T05:40:12Z")
Thank you, Tim. I was just wondering yesterday how things were going for y’all. He will be missed by us here, and I wish for you and the family to carry the happiest memories of your uncle. Rest well, David. Lisa ---
**Author:** ![bbs2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e495f1/32.png) [@bbs2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bbs2k)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-simmons-rest-in-peace/446089/11 "2008-04-20T05:43:36Z")
Oh damn… no. I knew it was coming, but I saw this thread and it hit me hard even still. I’ll miss him tremendously. ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-simmons-rest-in-peace/446089/12 "2008-04-20T05:52:01Z")
Your family has my family’s condolences. He was a presence to all of us here, and we only saw pixels on a screen. I can only imagine being as close to him as you were. All of us were made better by knowing him. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-simmons-rest-in-peace/446089/13 "2008-04-20T05:58:10Z")
Condolences to you and your family Tim, and may your uncle rest in peace. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Bruin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Queen\_Bruin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Bruin)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-simmons-rest-in-peace/446089/14 "2008-04-20T06:08:01Z")
My condolences to you and your family, Tim. Thank you for letting us know. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-simmons-rest-in-peace/446089/15 "2008-04-20T06:09:25Z")
Thanks for letting us know. RIP. ---
**Author:** ![A.R.Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-simmons-rest-in-peace/446089/16 "2008-04-20T06:11:08Z")
I’m very sorry to hear this, he was an asset to the board. ---
**Author:** ![Lucky\_13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucky_13/32/13209_2.png) [@Lucky\_13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucky_13)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-simmons-rest-in-peace/446089/17 "2008-04-20T06:22:21Z")
Rest in peace, David. My condolences to your family, Tim. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-simmons-rest-in-peace/446089/18 "2008-04-20T06:34:39Z")
When my grandfather died, I was despondent. The things that I could have learned from him were gone forever. This is how I feel right now. Someone with experience that transcends that of the rest of us no longer can share his wisdom, which cannot be reproduced. I empathize with David’s family. The loss is forever. No more stories about WWII, no more stories about what life was like back before most of us were born. No more nothing, just anecdotes. God bless you, brother. It is the least that I can do but to offer the comfort of my God to your uncle. Even if you do not believe in God, it is still all I can give you. I wish I had taken the opportunity to learn more from him. Alas, it is now gone, forever. Godspeed. comrade. And thank you. I owe you more than I can ever describe. I’ll see you in 20 years or so. -Dave ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-simmons-rest-in-peace/446089/19 "2008-04-20T06:44:17Z")
Tim…thank you for letting us know. You and your family have my deepest sympathy. RIP David… ---
**Author:** ![janis\_and\_c0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janis_and_c0/32/21_2.png) [@janis\_and\_c0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janis_and_c0)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-simmons-rest-in-peace/446089/20 "2008-04-20T06:45:49Z")
Tim, My Deepest sympathy to you & the family. I have not been on this board very long, but I do you that your uncle was a special part of it. God Bless . [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-simmons-rest-in-peace/446089.md?page=2)