Thomas Hellmuth Simmons

West Point, 1968

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by William H Ward on March 12, 2017:

Tom Simmons' obit compiled from published sources and institutional memory: THOMAS HELMUT SIMMONS Dr. Thomas Simmons was born in Tutzig, Germany, on April 18, 1945. He moved to Miami, Fla., with his father Bruce Simmons and mother in 1948. In 1964 entered the United States Military Academy at West Point and graduated with the West Point Class of 1968. Assigned to Vietnam, he commanded a tank in armored cavalry in 1972. After Vietnam he went to medical school at the University of Miami, then did his residency at the University of Kansas Hospital in Wichita. He co-founded the hospital management group HIMS in Kansas City where his practice flourished and served many of the people in the Kansas City and surrounding areas and states. His passions in life included, but were not limited to, Porsche race car driving, alpine skiing, wood working, wine, and, above all, his family. On the morning of Tuesday, March 22, 2016, Tom Simmons suffered a massive stroke and passed that evening at 7 p.m. He is survived by his wife, Wanda, his sons, Brian and TJ, his daughters, Suzi and Elizabeth, and granddaughters, Katie and Angie who will miss him and forever be grateful to have had him as a central part of their life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Harvesters, his favorite charity. The family will be holding a gathering from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, at their home to celebrate his life. If you wish to bring something a small appetizer would be welcome. Compiled from online sources (obit published in the Kansas City Star on Apr. 3, 2016), and institutional memory. _________________________ He was a year ahead of me when we all moved from our original companies to Company G-2 in 1968. Though I did not know him well, to me he was always impressive. His life accomplishments bear out that impression. William H. Ward USMA-69

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