Robert "Bob" William Sims

Robert "Bob" William Sims, age 79, born September 22, 1942 went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, July 8, 2022. He was born September 22, 1942, in Honolulu, Hawaii. His parents William (Bill) Hearson and Sarah (Sally) Thelma Sims proudly brought him home to awaiting big sister Roberta (Bobbi) Arlita. The family lived on Wailupe Place in the Kaimaki suburb of Honolulu.

Living just steps from the water, Rob, as his family called him, learned to swim at the tender age of two. His Navy diver father would float him in the Pacific Ocean – or toss him into the waves, as his mother recollected. As a preschooler, Bob’s dad took him along on fishing trips around the islands. Fishermen soon discovered little Robert was eating all the shrimp bait while no one was looking. It’s been said that these trips probably launched not only Bob’s love of boating, but also his love of shellfish.

Upon his father becoming a United States Naval Officer, the family relocated several times primarily to Seattle, San Francisco and San Diego, eventually settling in Long Beach, California. Early as a boy, Bob showed his love for others and working with his hands. For example, Bob would manicure the yard before his dad got home from work not only because he enjoyed doing a nice job, but because he said he knew how much his dad would appreciate it. This may also explain why Bob would go on to maintain the best-looking yard of any home he would own.

Always loving music, Bob played the saxophone in his school band. He was also a member of the junior high school water polo team. As a conscientious young man, he was proud of his gas station attendant job. This was back in the day when gas was pumped for customers, windows washed carefully, oil, radiator fluid and tire air pressures checked, cash tendered by hand, and more. All done by a crisp, shirt-collared serviceman with a smile. Being around cars was what this young man loved. He bought his first car at age 15, a 1940 Ford coupe.

In high school, Bob enjoyed his pals, dances and being a member of ”The Lamplighters” car club. He customized his 1953 Chevy Bel Air. He got into some trouble with the law due to joyriding with the guys, but always said it taught him a good lesson.

In 1961, at age 18, Bob married his high school sweetheart Charlene. He began working at Western Electric on the telephone repair line. He also held other part time jobs, allowing them to purchase their first house in Lakewood, California. Together they had two sons Robert (Rob) William Jr and Jeffrey (Jeff) Scott. A family man at the young age of twenty, Bob was already a responsible provider.

Not long after, the family purchased a new home in La Palma, California where Rob and Jeff grew up. The family took camper road trips and shared their home and swimming pool with friends and family. Bob especially loved taking his boys on dirt bike riding overnighters. Coming home from work one day, Bob found his boys not only riding dirt bikes in the street, but Rob was doing wheelies on Bob’s motorcycle, even though Rob’s feet couldn’t touch ground. All the motorcycles were promptly sold, but other creative outlets ensued. In typical Bob fashion, Rob enjoyed his car show themed bedroom, complete with a chromed exhaust pipe headboard made by his dad, and Jeff a cowboy themed bedroom complete with roped fenceposts.

During those early years, Bob displayed incredible skills. He custom-painted numerous cars and bikes, chromed them and did just about everything there was to do – all with perfection. He was proud of taking second and third places for his 1949 Triumph motorcycle show bike – which he completely restored – two times over. Later in life, he would get tears in his eyes recalling how his father fought back tears when Bob unveiled his dad’s Chevy truck that Bob had beautifully painted creamy white. This is how Bob served others throughout his entire life.

In his early twenties Bob saw a newspaper recruitment ad for the Los Angeles Police Department. Upon seeing the monthly salary of $608, he said to himself, “what in the world would I do with all that money?” On April 25, 1965, Bob was sworn in as Policeman at the Los Angeles Police Academy.

Bob’s LAPD assignments were Harbor Division (1965-1966), 77th Street Division (1967-1968), and Metropolitan Division (1968-1982). From the start, Bob was one of L.A.’s finest. In 1966, during his first week alone in a radio car, he employed perfect tactics in a car chase, saving a manager who had been kidnapped at gunpoint. (The bank robber was not so fortunate.) He rescued a teenage girl from jumping off the Vincent Thomas Bridge, worked the Watts Riots and more – all during his first year on the job. He loved working 77th Division in South Los Angeles. He could apprehend felons and take guns off the street but some of his favorite times were the hours before dawn when “the streets were quiet.” His presence of mind and calmness under pressure was quickly noticed.

In 1968, Bob was invited to join what was then a twenty-man unit of Metropolitan Division based in Room 114 at Parker Center. Bob (R. Dub as his partners called him) became an integral part of this growing, highly trained and elite group of officers. They were assigned Presidential and VIP details, high profile cases and were deployed to crime hotspots throughout the City. Highlights of his Metro capers included investigative work on the Hillside Strangler case and the Robert Kennedy Special Task Force. (Bob had also been on security detail at the Ambassador Hotel during the assassination.) As call sign “R120”, Bob was squad leader of the infamous “Dirt Bags” undercover surveillance unit. He helped apprehend countless criminals including the Dinner Time Burglar, the Car Key Rapist and more. Bob was also given special recognition by his Metro peers for taking a brazen felon off the streets who had been terrorizing bar patrons, robbing them of their jewelry and leather coats and forcing them to the floor at gunpoint. He was involved in the Black Panther raid and the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) shootout. He was appointed Officer-in-Charge and commended for creating a body-guard detail for Tom Bradley, the newly appointed first black mayor of Los Angeles.

His written commendations fill a volume and include accolades from the Secret Service, the L.A. District Attorney’s Office, Chiefs of Police for “meeting the highest traditions of the Los Angeles Police Department,” and even a signed thank you from Ronald Reagan. But with all the high-profile assignments, it was arguably Bob’s “habitual leading the division in quality arrests” and his “uncanny ability to consistently come up with one outstanding arrest after another” that caused his fellow officers to describe him as one of the strongest and most highly regarded Police Officer III+I’s in Metropolitan Division. His street knowledge, exemplary interrogation, report writing and court testimony skills, and his intrinsic loyalty earned him their utmost respect. He gave his best, not only to the citizens of Los Angeles, but to his brothers in blue who gave him the ultimate title of “LAPD and Metro Legend”.

Meantime, a cute night-watch secretary worked the Metro Desk, diligently typing daily rosters, motorcade routes, officer commendations and more. This young blonde everyone called Jeanie caught R. Dub’s eye. In fact, he was known to flirt with her by running her license plate number over the police radio.

On November 15, 1980, Bob married “the love of his life” Jean Anne (Jeanie) Faragher in Garden Grove, California. Inseparable from their first date in late 1979, Bob and Jean would go on to be blessed with 42 years of what others called a true and beautiful, inspiring love story. There were, of course, hardships along the way, but those only deepened and strengthened them as a couple.

A serious back injury caused Bob to retire from LAPD in 1982. Not one to be held down, he immediately earned his California Swimming Pool Contractor’s License, and he and partner Gary Petrilla formed Executive Pools and Spas. Together they built over 400 pools in Orange County during the 1980s. Bob also earned his Private Investigator’s License and worked for the City of Los Angeles and a private firm.

In 1988, son Jonathan (Jon) Ryan was born. The family lived in Anaheim Hills, California where Bob built a gorgeous backyard pool and patio, personally setting each piece of tile. Many good times were shared there. Some of Bob’s favorite times were being in Indian Guides as “Mighty Hawk” with Jonathan as “Little Hawk”. Bob also thoroughly enjoyed being at Jon’s soccer and football practices and games. The family’s church home was St. Paul’s Lutheran in Orange, where Bob served as an Elder. It was also Jon’s Orange Lutheran High School football games that really capped off those fun sports years for Bob.

Through the years, together with beloved extended family and many great friends, the family enjoyed memorable snow skiing and boating trips. Bob was an incredible Captain of the three boats he would own – always safe – always fun! With Jean’s career in tourism, the family was also able to travel to many destinations, including New York City, Washington D.C., Florida, Vancouver B.C., Hawaii, Alaska and more. But it was later in life that Bob took his “Jeaniebird” to England, Germany and France. Bob would say that standing on the Beaches of Normandy was by far one of the most meaningful moments of his life. He felt that every young American student should be provided a trip there.

In 2007, Bob and Jean moved to beautiful North Idaho, ultimately building a custom home and workshop and had their “adventure in the trees.” They loved the seasons and the great outdoors. Many summer nights were spent sleeping on their boat on Lake Coeur d’Alene and Lake Pend Oreille. Dear friendships developed there made their life even more complete.

Bob was in his element in Idaho and spent many happy retirement days in his fully outfitted workshop. He was such a handyman that the neighbors suggested he hang a neon light in his shop window that said “Open”. Lots of cups of coffee, random repairs, great chats and even haircuts were had by the guys there. Unless a Boise State Broncos football game was on TV, good country music was almost always playing through surround sound speakers. Bob even coaxed Jean into setting up her sewing machine in his shop to redo boat upholstery. They were proud of their efforts, but it was Bob who had completely wired, lighted, heated, drywalled, plumbed and tricked out his shop, complete with bathroom, and a beautifully varnished barn door with his motto, “Git ‘er Done”.

But in 2020, another life trial hit. Back-to-back treatable, but incurable cancers. Two years into the battle, Bob gave his Jean the gift of moving them to Henderson, Nevada to live near son Jon, daughter-in-love Diana and family. Being closer to all family allowed for priceless times together – including a Sims family gathering, and Bob watching his baby granddaughter Anais grow into a beautiful one year old. Her hugs, kisses and smiles put indescribable smiles on his face and warmed his soul.

Throughout his life, others described Bob as kind, compassionate, affectionate, fair, strong, a protector, defender, provider, witty, wise, hilarious, a great listener, an extraordinary craftsman, generous with his seemingly endless skills and abilities, and a selfless giver of his time. He possessed a keen sense of humor and had an encyclopedia of sayings that kept others laughing. Bob loved all kinds of music and had a fantastic singing voice. He could sing the lyrics to just about any song on the spot. Others knew he was happy when he could be heard singing or whistling, oftentimes by neighbors a few doors down.

An American Patriot, Bob dearly loved his Country and strived to make it a better place. He genuinely cared for people from all walks of life. Bob once told Jean, “I don’t know if people know this about me, but I really love people.” We hope he knew that he stood out for not only his devotion to his family, but his lifelong caring for all.

Most importantly, Bob’s faith in God was rock solid, and his relationship with his Lord ran deep. Bob said that any man who thinks he’s doing life under his own power is fooling himself. His Christian beliefs fueled his service to others. He was a helper to friend and stranger. Bob was a great friend to many, and a beloved brother, uncle and family member. He was an admired and deeply loved father, grandfather and great grandfather, and the cherished husband, life partner and hero of his loving wife.

On July 8, 2022, after a long and valiant fight with cancer, Bob passed away peacefully at home straight from his Jeanie’s arms into the waiting arms of Jesus. He was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Sally and son Rob. He leaves behind his wife Jean, sons Jeff and Jonathan, daughters-in-law Heidi and Diana, grandsons Robby and Jake, granddaughters Ashley and Anais, great grandsons Alex and Jaxon, great granddaughter Roxanne, sister Bobbi and many beloved nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” - James 1:12

Memorial services will be held Saturday, August 20th, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church of Orange, 185 S. Center Street, Orange CA 92866. A Celebration of Life lunch reception will follow.

The family appreciates sharing of your memories, photos and videos on this site.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts are treasured to:

The Los Angeles Police Department Honor Guard, 100 W. 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

The Los Angeles Police Emerald Society Pipes and Drums, 1308 W. 8th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105

https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?cID=14262&pID=24671&frequency_selected=2&sc_icid=wtg-mm-memorialcards.