Richard Philip Simons

Richard Simons passed peacefully on June 27, 2021 in Honolulu, ending a 91-year life that was full of adventure, accomplishment, and much love. Richard “Psi” Simons was born May 3, 1930 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to his parents Blaine and Eloise Dake Simons, the youngest of three children and much-loved by his older brother Blaine Jr. and sister Dorothy. His father was a respected lawyer and politician in South Dakota and his mother managed the family household. After high school, Psi set out to college at the University of Colorado, but after just one year, duty called. Psi enlisted in the Air Force and after training at Buckley AFB in Colorado, he shipped out to Korea.

Psi spent over two years in Korea as an Airman First Class, serving a vital role in the supply chain behind the front lines. After additional time in the Air Force Reserves, Psi was honorably discharged in 1958. In the meantime, Psi had decided to continue his academic career at Yale University from which he graduated in 1957 with a BA in History. While at Yale, he met the love of his life—Barbara Long. She was the daughter of Yale Medical School Dean, Hugh Long, who would end up being like a second father to Psi.

Psi and Barbara were wed in 1958 and lived for five years between Connecticut and Boston, where Psi got a Masters in History from Harvard. They also started a family, having Peter Hugh in 1959 and Christopher Blaine (“Kiff”) in 1961. In 1963, an opportunity came along that would change Psi and his family’s lives forever. A college prep school in Hawaii called Punahou was staffing up with Ivy-league teachers and Psi’s friend alerted him to it. On a whim, he made contact and was flown out to interview for a job. In short order he was hired and he and Barbara were on their way to Hawaii with their young family in tow. Hawaii had only been a State for four years and it was truly an unspoiled paradise. The young family enjoyed weekends at the beach, BBQs, and unlimited fun in the sun with a new group of friends. They returned East every summer to be with Barbara’s parents and to spend time in Maine, which was to become the family’s second home. Psi thrived as a teacher at Punahou and ultimately became Chairman of the History Department. A major highlight for Psi and his family was his sabbatical year in 1968 that was spent pursuing another Masters from London University. The year in England was the best of their lives, both Psi and Barbara attested, and they explored all corners of the United Kingdom while the boys became English schoolboys complete with British accents!

The next major event that would shape Psi and the family’s lives forever was in January 1970 when Emily was adopted into the family. The boys adored their little sister and the expanded family was happier than ever, living many years in faculty housing and playing on the Punahou campus. Unfortunately, Psi and Barbara’s marriage came to an end in 1976 and she and Emily moved back to Connecticut. The boys finished off at Punahou and left for college on the mainland. Psi continued teaching at Punahou until his retirement in 1988, after a distinguished 25-year career. He continued to teach part time at the University of Hawaii, Hawaii Pacific College, and other tutoring jobs.

The story of Psi’s life would not be complete without a description of his love for travel. One of his biggest goals in life was to see the world. He always found time to see parts of the world he had read about as a child and reveled in these experiences. He also loved taking his children on his travels, taking Emily back to England in 1981, and Kiff and Peter to various far-flung corners of the world for adventure travel (Inca Trail to Macchu Pichu, Thailand jungle treks, and New Zealand’s Milford Track, to name a few). He also went on his own to Nepal to hike the Himalayas and China and the Soviet Union to explore the then-forbidden countries. There is barely a corner of the world that Psi didn’t visit in his life. He also advanced his education on his travels, attending programs at Oxford University in England. Psi’s travel days ended after he turned 80, but he continued to enjoy life in Hawaii with his wide network of friends and hosted family on frequent visits.

Richard is survived by children Peter (Karla), Kiff (Remi), and Emily (Chris) and grandchildren Henry, Lucy, Tyler, Spencer, Emma, and Kyle. A small family service will be held to inter Psi’s ashes at Punchbowl Memorial Cemetery in honor of his service for the country in the Korean War.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BorthwickOahu.com for the Simons family.