Robert Donald “Bob” Simon of Yale passed away at his home on Monday, March 25, 2013, with his wife, Linda, at his side, after losing his battle with cancer.

Bob was born to Alva Jane Lesher and Andrew S. Simon in Davenport, Oklahoma, on February 22, 1929, a birth date shared with his father.

As his father worked for Skelly Oil Company, Bob’s early years were spent in several Oklahoma “oil field camps,” Maramec, Slick, Fairfax, and Little Chief.

Bob graduated from Shidler High School in 1947, and later attended Syracuse University.

He worked many years in sales prior to returning to his passion of tax preparation. He owned the H & R Block franchises in Bristow and Stroud. He later opened TaxSaver in his Yale home, working until his retirement in 2010.

Bob was a U.S. veteran and served in Germany during the Korean Conflict.

He joined the Masonic Lodge and achieved a 32nd degree Mason.

Bob loved history and the world of politics, and served as a lifetime charter member of the Payne County Historical Society, was elected to the Yale City Commission, and later served as Mayor. He served on the Yale Library Board, and Friends of Lawson Cemetery. When others his age were slowing down, Bob chose to become a CASA volunteer working for abused children. He later became a volunteer mediator for Early Settlement, and was chosen State of Oklahoma Mediator of the Year in 2001.

He had many interests in this life – as a Civil War history buff, one of his fondest memories was a lengthy telephone call with Civil War author and historian, Shelby Foote. Bob and his wife, Linda, toured as many Civil War battlefields as possible during their vacations of the lower forty-eight states.

He was an avid reader, loved to learn and took classes in writing and speaking the Osage Native American language.

He loved to fish, was a licensed pilot, and was known for working crossword puzzles and Cryptograms in ink.

In addition to his parents and first wife, Helen M. {Darst}, Bob was predeceased in death by his brothers, Kenneth, George and Bill.

Bob is survived by his wife, Linda of 23 years of the home.

He was dearly loved by Linda’s daughters, Christy Mueggenborg-Poe and her husband, Jeff of Mannford; and Tracy Mueggenborg-Hill and her husband, Rob of Perkins. Bob’s life was brightened by the joy of his grandchildren, Huston, Lindsay, Mason and Olivia Poe of Mannford; and Makinze Hill of Perkins.

Bob will be sorely missed by his loving sister and dearest friend, Marjorie Burkhart of Edmond.

Graveside rites will be held at the Yale Lawson Cemetery at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, March 28, 2013. Pallbearers will be Terry Baker, Tom Lee, Mike Primeaux, Corky Vick, and sons-in-law Rob Hill and Jeff Poe.

Honorary pallbearers will be Alice Cussner, Hugh Jones, Norma and Terry Pope and Cynthia Vick.

The family would like to express their deepest and sincerest appreciation for the wonderful care and support given by Judith Karman Hospice. A special note of appreciation is given to the “Piecemakers of Glencoe” for the beautiful lap quilt donated to Judith Karman Hospice patients.

Linda and family express a special thank you to all of his coffee buddies for the visits, calls and loving support during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be given to Judith Karman Hospice, P.O. Box 818, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74076-0818.

In honor of the love and respect Bob Simon had for the Osage Native American people, this Osage burial blanket was given by Rose and Mike Primeaux to accompany Bob’s journey as he travels to meet the Great White Father.