1933 – 2015
Robert Simons, despite spending much of his career in real estate and business, had his heart on the baseball field. An exceptional player at Weaver High School in Hartford, Bob continued his passion at the University of Hartford and served on the U.S. Army baseball team during the Korean War. He played for the Connecticut Kings fast-pitch club and cherished trips to Yankee Stadium with friends. Bob, who passed away in 2015 at 81, left behind a devoted family and an impressive legacy.
From a humble start assembling newspapers, Bob rose to become a leading real estate and business developer in the state. He earned his degree from the Barney School of Business at the University of Hartford, where he met his wife, Barbara, with whom he was married for 56 years. Bob co-founded Hurwit & Simons Realtors, growing it into a successful firm with 14 offices and over 300 agents. He also co-founded Medical Management and Development Corporation, a pioneer in ambulatory surgical centers.
Bob was actively involved in numerous organizations, including the Hartford Downtown Council, the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, and the Hartford Hillel Foundation, where he served as president. He also sat on the boards of The Bushnell and the University of Hartford. Known for his enthusiasm both in the boardroom and on the field, Bob often looked forward to enjoying a great meal, a fine cigar and drinks with friends.