Obituary

Robert “Bob” Michael Sims, 70, died February 21, 2022 at his home in Buckeye, AZ. He was born October 18, 1951 in Oxnard, CA to Arlan James Sims and Margaret Aileen (Jameson) Sims.

Bob attended Oxnard schools and graduated from Rio Mesa High School in 1969. He studied Pre-Med at Ventura Junior College. He served in the US Navy as a combat Corpsman in Viet Nam, and later transferred to the Naval Reserves at Port Hueneme Naval Base in California where he was stationed until 1974. He was employed by the Ventura County Fire Department as a Fireman and a Fire Prevention Officer II for 22 years. He moved his family to Arizona in 1996. He worked for the Mesa, Arizona School District for 10 years before retiring. In 2012, Bob married Maureen (Cassens) Brown in Goodyear, Arizona, where they made their home. The last several years were spent between Illinois and Arizona.

Bob loved surfing in the Pacific Ocean, a skill he learned at just eight years old along with his older brother Rod. He often spoke of that time fondly. He adored his family and especially his grandchildren. He cherished the time spent with each of them. He had a very outgoing personality and loved meeting and talking with his friends – old and new.

Bob is survived by his wife, Maureen; daughters, Misty (Kenneth) Camenisch of Avondale, Arizona, Heather Sims of Goodyear, Arizona, Heather (Stephen) Zoellner of Waddell, Arizona, and Heidi (Ronnie) Wakefield of Las Vegas, Nevada; sisters, Judith (Donald) Morin of Camarillo, California and JoAnn (Dan) Rule of Burns, Tennessee; and her brother, Rodney (Cathy) Sims of Lake Havasu City, Arizona. He is also survived by ten grandchildren, Mackenzie Rowell, Morgan Fuller, Wyatt Fuller, K.J. Camenisch, Grace Fuller, Logan Dietrich, Hannah Dietrich, Zoe (Nathan) Anderson, Stevie Zoellner, and Anthony Wakefield; several nieces, and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a nephew, Scott Rule; and former wife, Natasha Hershey Sims.

Cremation rites have been accorded. A military graveside service will be performed at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, Arizona on December 16, 2022 at 1PM. Ashes will also be spread in the Pacific Ocean by his family.