Richard Simmet

Captain Richard F. Simmet of Corinthian Point, Willis, TX and Cinosam Pines Road, Brainerd, MN. Born June 22, 1929 in Minneapolis, MN, flew west February 17, 2009, departed from Conroe, TX at 10:30 AM. Preceded in death by mother, Adela, and father Clarence Simmet, first wife Corrine and son Mark Simmet. Captain Simmet is survived by his wife Linda Simmet of Willis, TX; sister Jeanne Beeman of Tulsa, OK; daughters Sharon and husband Cliff Holley of Rock Springs, Wyoming, Colleen and husband John Goodney of Highlands, TX, Valerie and husband Lawrence Burke of Chanhasson, MN, and Eileen Simmet of Minneapolis, MN. Also surviving are two step sons, Richard and wife Sherry Smith of Willis, TX, and James and wife Ann Smith of West Mifflin, PA. Grandchildren surviving are Cathy (Goodney) Collins, Melissa (Holley) Marroquin, Jackie (Burke) Grumish, Paul Burke, David Burke, Madelyne Burke, Jamie Smith, Brendan Smith, Shelby Smith, Heather Simmet and two great grandsons, Keaton and Logan Marroquin. Dick was a retired Northwest Airlines Captain. He retired after 42 years of service. Of those 42 years, 23 and a half were as a Captain, having flown in excess of 14,000 hours on the 727. He also flew Boeing 747, 707, 720, 320 and Lockhead Electras. His hobby for over 20 years was showing his Doberman Pinchers in the Obedience Dog Show Ring. He obtained Obedience Trial Champion titles on two of his prize Dobermans. In addition, he also owned and operated Eden Prairie Body Shop in Eden Prairie, MN from 1960 – 1990. After retiring to Texas in 1994, he spent his summers at his cabin on Cinosam Pines Road in Brainerd, MN where he loved to fish on Gull Lake. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested making a donation to the American Diabetes Association or M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 20 from 10 – 10:30 AM with the Service in Captain Simmet’s honor starting at 10:30 AM. at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home, 10129 W. FM 1097, Willis, TX. There will also be a Military Burial held at a later date at Fort Snelling, National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN. You are invited to leave a written tribute to the family on our website at www.shmfh.com.

Richard Simmet

June 22, 1929 - February 21, 2009