Richard Simeonoff Sr., 81, passed away on January 23, 2014 at Copper Village Senior Center in Mesa, Arizona.

Richard was born February 24, 1933 on Woody Island, Alaska. He lived on the island and attended school there until the attack on the Aleutians in 1942 during World War II, at which time the only teacher on the island fled.  Richard then moved to Kodiak to attend school under the care of the Kodiak Baptist Mission until his family was able to join him.

After high school, Richard joined the navy and was stationed on the U.S.S. Mathews from 1953-56.  He sailed between Korea, Long Beach, and the Pribilof Islands while serving as an Interior Communications Electrician.

After completing his military service, Richard graduated from Western State College of Engineering in Inglewood, California. He worked for Radio Corporation of America (RCA) in Van Nuys, California in the area of computer science. Richard returned to his home state of Alaska in 1974 where he worked as a commercial fisherman, an iron worker and counselor on the North Slope, and later for Southcentral Foundation in Anchorage.  In 2007, after retiring from Southcentral Foundation with many lifelong friends, he moved to Arizona.

Richard loved the subsistence lifestyle and was proud of his Alaska Native heritage. Hunting, fishing, and boating were just a few of his passions. He especially enjoyed time spent fishing during summers with his family. He will be remembered as a kind man with a great sense of humor and will be missed by many.

Richard is survived by his children, stepson John Crawford, sons Richard, Gilbert and Kelly Simeonoff, and daughter Alyce Roberts; the mother of his children, Peggy Monson; grandchildren Richard, Sarah, and John Simeonoff, Zachary Simeonoff, Kaela, Tiffany, and Kelly Simeonoff, Kyle and Kendall Roberts; sisters Tina Hoen and Mae Pagano; and many nieces and nephews.

Richard is preceded in death by his wife, Terri Simeonoff; parents, Kelly & Natalie Simeonoff; brothers, Kelly L., Peter E. & Frederick M. Simeonoff; and sister Judy Meidinger.

A celebration of Richard’s life will take place in Kodiak, Alaska in the summer.