In Remembrance
Steve Simmons
January 8, 1946 - February 10, 2008
We are all deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Steve Simmons.
Steve joined Apex in Bethesda in May of 1988 as our 9th employee. We were looking for asbestos technicians and although Steve had no training in asbestos or IH at the time, he had a wealth of business and life experience (including serving our country in Vietnam), a can do attitude and a willingness to learn. After a couple of years Steve moved into managing the asbestos monitoring group. In 1991 Steve transferred to the New York/New Jersey area to start-up and manage a new office there.
One story from his time in NY/NJ epitomizes what Steve meant to Apex. Apex had a contract that Steve managed with the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority “TBTA.” This contract was to perform carbon monoxide monitoring at the tunnels and tollbooths throughout the New York Metro Area. In order to provide this service we had a Winnebago filled with approximately 30 CO monitors and other equipment, along with a field crew of 4. Driving to one of the sites one Sunday morning the Winnebago ran over a mattress that had fallen from a vehicle on the road. The mattress was lodged under the Winnebago and caught fire. Fortunately our field crew escaped injury, but all of our equipment and our vehicle was lost. There was great concern by TBTA as to whether we would be able to complete the contract. Steve immediately sprung into action, finding a new vehicle, begging and borrowing for new equipment. The project was back up and running in less than a week. TBTA was astounded at how we were able to get back up and running so quickly and it was only through Steve’s force of will. He turned what could have been a disaster into a major accomplishment to our client.
Steve stayed in New Jersey until early 2002 when he returned to Rockville to manage the industrial hygiene group. I know one of the highlights of Steve’s return to Rockville was meeting and marrying Becky and settling down with her in Columbia.
Steve’s infectious spirit will always be remembered here at Apex. We will miss him.