Donald Simmons ’67 died Nov. 22.
Simmons died Nov. 22. Don was born on June 18, 1945, in Wenatchee, Wash., to Don and Irene Simmons while his father was serving in the Pacific Theater during WWII. Don grew up in Quincy, Wash., and graduated first from Quincy High School with honors in 1963 and then from Pacific Lutheran University in 1967. He then attended the University of Washington School of Medicine, graduating with his Medical Doctor degree in 1971. Don and his wife, Barbara, moved to California in 1971 for his Internship at San Bernardino County Hospital, where he also did his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology. From 1972 to 1974, he served as an officer in the United States Air Force as a GMO at Norton AFB. He subsequently became both a Diplomate and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Don spent his entire medical career practicing in Southern California. He first practiced in Riverside, and in 1981 he relocated to Redlands, where he worked until his retirement in January 2014. Don believed he delivered at least 6,000 babies during his 43-year career. He also was a member of the American Medical Association, the California Medical Association, the San Bernardino County Medical Society and the American Medical Informatics Association and was a former member of the Riverside County Medical Association. During the 1980s and the 1990s, Don was very involved in the various committees of the above associations and was chair for several of them. Don served as chief of staff at Redlands Community Hospital from 1994-1996. Don was preceded in death by his daughter, Mara, in 1994, and his mother in 2008. Don is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Barbara. He is also survived by his daughter, Amy Beran, and her husband, Brian; his twin grandsons, Jack and Nathan Beran; his father, Don B. Simmons of Quincy, Wash.; and his sister, Sue Gabales and her husband, Ted, of Manteca, Calif. He is also survived by Sloane Allen, daughter of his heart, a niece and three nephews.
