George John Simitses

Simitses, George John died April 24, 2016 at age 83. Born 31 July 1932 in Athens, Greece, Dr. Simitses came to America in 1951 to study engineering, graduating from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1956 with a Bachelor of Aeronautical Engineering and Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering and from Stanford University in 1965 with a Ph.D. in Aeronautics and Astronautics. His academic career includes teaching and research at Georgia Tech (Professor) and at the University of Cincinnati (Professor, Department Head of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, and Interim Dean of Engineering). Professor Simitses is the recipient of many awards and honors, including having been elected Corresponding Member of the prestigious Academy of Athens (the Greek equivalent of the US National Academy of Science).

His distinguished career and academic achievements were enhanced by the love and passion he had for family, students, Greek community and importance of education. Dr. Simitses was a constant mentor to students throughout his career, advising 23 Ph.D. students to completion and often inviting those here from Greece to his home to celebrate his favorite holiday, Orthodox Pascha (Easter). Dr. Simitses was a founding member of the Ahepa Mother Lodge Chapter #1 Educational Foundation, which has awarded nearly $800K in scholarships to date.

As a father and grandfather, Dr. Simitses loved sports, especially Georgia Tech athletics. A consecutive football ticket holder since the 1950’s, his love for this school runs through the family, with both sons graduating from Tech and his grandchildren already life-long fans.

Professor Simitses will be greatly missed by wife Nena Economy Simitses; three children, John Simitses, William Simitses (Victoria) and Alexandra Simitses Zaden (Mark); and eight grandchildren, Michael, Christina, George, Matthew and Luke Simitses, and Athena, Marian and Joseph Zaden.

A prayer service will be held at H.M. Patterson & Son, Oglethorpe Hill Chapel on May 2 at 7:00 PM (visitation 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM) and funeral services will be held at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation on May 3 at noon.

In lieu of flowers, the family will be establishing the George Simitses Scholarship and requests donations be made to the AHEPA Educational Foundation, c/o William Simitses, 980 Ashebrooke Ct. Marietta, GA 30068.