Captain Donald W. Simons (Si), USN (Ret), Eagle Scout, Mason

[Minelab Ron]

You may not have known Captain Simons, otherwise known to everyone he met as "Si", he may not have been a TNet'er or Treasure Hunter, but he was a man bigger than any man I have ever known.

We met Si 2 years ago this month, when we decided to let our boys give Scouting another shot (my oldest was in a Pack several years back that wasn't good and I pulled him from Scouting), now both of my boys are Scouts (Tenderfoot -Asst Patrol Ldr and Second Class - Patrol Ldr), that was the best decision I ever made (well, one of them!)

Si, in my eyes, was a man who would sit and talk with you for hours, his wisdom and knowledge was astounding! The way he would talk to the boys, never down to them, but as equals. The encouragement he filled them with, the CAN DO Spirit, and his "gentle" way of wording things....he was quite a guy and my only regret is not to have known him longer or to see my boys receive their Eagle from him!!! He was also instrumental in our Pipsico Hunts, since he has been involved in Pipsico since the camp was bought in 1958!!! I was so looking forward to seeing him this week to give him our run down of this past hunt - then to come home and find out he passed away the first night of our hunt! I still can't believe he is no longer here in body, but his spirit lives on in each of us whose lives he has touched!

His treasure were the boys and the Scouting community. Always trying to make things better, always instilling in our boys the LAWS, the MOTTO, the OATH of Scouting and it's importance.

I am sure, somewhere, on this forum, there is a Scout that may have had the pleasure of knowning him or met him or knew of him! There may also be someone on here who may have known him in his military career or their parents may have known him....and even attended the Naval Academy with him! And I only found out yesterday that he entered college at the age of 16!!!

I am attaching his obituary, his photos, items of his Scouting career and the Proclamation by our Mayor of Virginia Beach. What a wonderful surprise for his family as one of our Scout leaders saw this to be done!

I would like to add that Mr. Si has been a member of the Scouting community for 70 years. He joined the Scouts when he was 10 years old!!!

I don't care if you don't comment, that is not what this thread is about, I just want you to get an idea of what this man meant to all of us in the Scouting community!

Si,
May the Great Master of all Scouts be with us 'til we meet again!

God Speed. Fair Winds and Following Seas, Captain (SALUTE)
Annmarie, Ron, Bobby, Rickylee
All of the Troop 65 Family
All those in the Tidewater Council, Cape Henry District
And from ALL SCOUTS EVERYWHERE!!!

[Pudsbrat]

It is a shame there are not more men of this caliber around today to lead our young people....sounds like a true gentleman.....hopefully the life he led will serve as an example to thousands of young people and instill in them a sense of duty to carry on....sounds like he was one of a kind.....my sympathy to you and your family and his family and friends.......

[bbqbull]

Thanks for sharing this wonderfull story Ron.

He will definately be missed, rest in peace Si.

[stilldign]

Ron,
I am wiping tears from my eyes as I write this message......thank you so much for sharing this man's life with us.

[allen]

sorry to hear about the loss of your friend !!!

[montepollock]

He was a Shining example of all that is good in Our world,People who live to serve and to make life less certain for others.
Thank You for sharing with Us and I can Only say,that I would hope to accomplish even half of what He did .
Do not forget,homage to this great Man by how We treat Others.
Respectfully, Monte