Robert M. Simons
Ashland business owner
Robert Simons, longtime downtown business owner and civic leader for numerous community groups, died Dec. 8 in Chicago following an extended illness.
Mr. Simons, 79, was born Oct. 16, 1927, in Cincinnati, a son of the late Charles and Minnie Simons.
Mr. Simons spent nearly 40 years in retailing as an owner/operator of Star’s Fashion World. He was corporate president and member of the board of directors of Star’s Stores Inc.
He attended Cincinnati schools. He received bachelor’s and master’s of science degrees from the University of Cincinnati. He taught at the University of Cincinnati and in the Cincinnati public school system.
In 1957, he relocated with his family from Cincinnati to Ashland, where he joined his father-in-law, Saul Kaplan, in his family business.
Mr. Simons was a member of the board of directors of the Saul and Harriet Kaplan Charitable Foundation and the Sharon and Robert Simons Family Foundation.
He was past president of the King’s Daughters Hospital board of directors and the Ashland Chamber of Commerce. He also served on the Tri-State council for the Boy Scouts of America and was involved with many civic, educational and religious organizations.
“Our father was a wonderful father and grandfather and a friend to all. We will miss him a lot. While not originally from Ashland, he thought of Ashland as his home and was always passionate about making the community a wonderful place to live,” said his son, Spencer.
Survivors include his children, Spencer and Debra Simons of Sharon, Mass., and Vicki and Bruce Heyman and Gwen and Brian McCallion, all of Chicago; seven grandchildren, David, Liza and Caroline Heyman, Shelly and Kaitlyn McCallion and Michael and Audrey Simons; and a brother, Irvin Simons of Cincinnati.
Funeral services will be at noon Sunday at Steen Funeral Home-Marshall Steen Chapel on 13th Street in Ashland with Rabbi Wuscher officiating. Burial will be in Ashland Cemetery.
The family will accept visitors after 11 a.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Sharon and Robert Simons Family Foundation for Cancer and Palliative Care, P.O. Box 430, Sharon, MA 02067.
