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Gerald Simonson Obituary

GERALD "GERRY" SIMONSON
February 3, 1932 April 23, 2021
Gerald "Gerry" Simonson died on April 23, 2021 at the age of 89 from complications of a broken hip and dementia.
Gerry was born February 3, 1932 in LaCrosse Wisconsin, to Odin and Rebecca (Kandal) Simonson. Gerry enjoyed a childhood of basketball, skiing, and model-T restoration with his seven siblings, all who were nourished by the tireless cooking of their mother, Rebecca, who as a lone child had prayed she'd one day have a large family. Gerry worked alongside his father at the family's Badger Paint store during high school.
He earned a scholarship to St. Olaf college upon the recommendation of his pastor. Upon graduation he was commissioned in the United States Air Force and became a pilot. He would serve a total of 30 years as an active duty and reserve military officer, retiring in the rank of Colonel.
Shortly after graduation from college, he married Hollie VanAntwerp, who had cheered him on at Sparta High School basketball games. After flight training assignments in Arizona and Texas, Hollie and Gerry were stationed in Bangor, Maine where they welcomed the first of their four children, a daughter, Kristin.
After discharge from active duty, Gerry taught English at Brighton High School where he was named teacher of the year in 1958. With the arrival of sons Joe, Jay and Jordan, a teaching salary "no longer afforded even peanut butter" and Gerry found employment at Martin Marietta Aerospace as an editor of technical writing. Through hard work and long hours over a thirty year career, he would advance to Chief of Computer Engineering and work on projects such as the Mars Rover, and the Titan Project exploration of the moons of Saturn.
Among the first in his family to attend college, Gerry made sure that all four of his children were able to graduate from college as well. In 1977, Hollie and Gerry divorced after 25 years of marriage. He married Judy (Gerlach) in 1980 and they remained married for 34 years until Judy's death from cancer in 2014.
In retirement, Gerry and Judy enjoyed giving generously to numerous charities and treating friends and family out to dinner. A former saxophone player in his high school jazz band, Gerry organized the Broadmoor Jazz Festival from 1996-2003. He also served as President for the Eisenhower Men's Golf Club, the Mayhurst HOA, and the Silicon Mountain Users Group (SMUG) and cherished the good friends he made in all three organizations. Gerry and his children regularly attended the yearly family reunions in Wisconsin where they enjoyed the company of the 80+ family members in attendance each year.
He is preceded in death by brothers Robert, Leroy, and Eugene. Gerry was "Grandpa" to Kelly, Luke, Micah, Josie and Jennie, and "Uncle Gerry" to 22 nieces and nephews. He is survived by all of them as well as his four adult children, his sisters Mary (Don) and Ruth (Dean), and brothers Jim (Gini) and Knut (Judy), daughters-in-law Gina and Nui, and son-in-law John. All remember him as kind and generous throughout his accomplished life.

Published by The Gazette on May 5, 2021.
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The Buckley AFB military Retiree Activities Office (RAO) would like to offer our sincere condolences and our gratitude for Col Simonson's 30 years of distinguished service to our country in the Air Force. If you would like help with any matters related to casualty assistance, Defense Finance & Accounting Service, Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), Veterans Affairs (VA), etc. you can contact our office on Buckley AFB at 720-847-6693. The RAO is staffed by volunteers, all military retirees themselves, and our sole purpose is to provide assistance to any military retirees and surviving spouses/family members with anything related to their military service and/or benefits, in particular during difficult times such as this. We are deeply sorry for your loss.

Steve Young
Lt Col, USAF, Ret
Director, Buckley AFB RAO

Steve Young

May 5, 2021

Gerry was a great friend and a big supporter of the EMGA. He will be missed.

Don Mau

Friend

May 5, 2021

I knew Gerry and Judy for many years, starting in 1994, when my wife and I joined a league at Harmony Bowl. It was always a pleasure. Gerry was probably the best sport that I ever knew, always congratulating both teammates and opponents. And I never saw Judy without a smile on her face. I was surprised that the obituary did not mention bowling. Gerry was the last original member of the league, first named National Test Bed (NTB) league. This league went back 30 years, and bowled in three bowling centers, with Harmony Bowl the last, from 1993 through 2018. The league went through several name changes, ending up being called JNIC Mixed, and Gerry was there through all of it. He never missed a season until Judy was diagnosed with cancer. He took a year off to take care of her. He returned the following year and was still bowling when the league disbanded at the end of the 2017-18 season. His bowling team was called the Wild Turkeys, and they had a logo of a turkey carrying a glass of that potent potable. After I retired and tried (and am still trying) my hand at writing, Gerry was the first person to buy one of my books. I am happy to think that, after a long and memorable life, Gerry is now reunited with Judy. Maybe they can even bowl a few games.

Roger Thomas

Friend

May 5, 2021

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