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THE DAVEY BULLETIN
|
March/April 2023
front
EAST DUNDEE SHOP EMPLOYEES ARE ENJOYING RETIREMENT
Bob Simms started a lifelong connection to Davey in 1977,
when his brother, Jim Simms, Kent Shop employee at the
time, said there was a position available at the shop. Jim
said he'd put in a good word with then shop manager, Don
Sellman. Sellman hired Bob as a mechanic, which kicked
off Bob's 42-year career with Davey.
Eleven years later, in 1988, Bob Simms transferred to the
East Dundee Shop. He, along with his wife, Kim, made the
move from Ohio to Illinois, and they still live there today.
Bob was promoted to shop manager in 1989, and the
following year, Kim Simms joined Davey as a clerk in the
East Dundee Shop. In 2015, Bob was promoted to regional
shop manager of the Davey fleet shop in Wheeling, Illinois,
and the East Dundee Shop. On the same day in 2020, both
Bob and Kim retired together, Bob as regional shop manager,
and Kim as a coordinator.
Over Bob's career, he traveled to a total of 26 U.S. states to
work in areas where Davey needed truck repairs, assistance
on start-ups for new Utility accounts, aerial inspections, and
DOT inspections. These travels also took him to states hit
by storms and hurricanes. "I traveled to Florida after both
Hurricane Charley and Hurricane Ivan in 2004, and to Texas
after Hurricane Rita in 2005, and Hurricane Ike in 2008,
making sure the equipment was right," Simms said.
Kim Simms said everyone looks out for each other at
Davey. "The morale and camaraderie at Davey are great,
Retirees! Have stories to share about retirement or your life at Davey? To be featured,
or to nominate a fellow retiree, call 800-447-1667 ext. 8615 or email bulletin@davey.com.
and the company wants you to succeed," she said.
Bob and Kim are enjoying retirement by spending time with
their family and traveling. They have two children, Robert,
who was an East Dundee Shop employee, and Rachel, and
two grandchildren, Adaline and Quentin. "We go to the
grandkids' soccer games and cheerleading events, and we
enjoy camping with the whole family," Simms said.
The Simms made many friends while at Davey. They went
on a cruise to the Caribbean with Eugene Briggs, supervisor,
Kent Shop, and his wife, Jen. The Simms are hoping to go
on a European cruise soon.
Left: Kim and Bob Simms are pictured on a trip to Sedona, Arizona.
Above: Eugene Briggs, supervisor, Kent Shop, and wife, Jen Briggs
(pictured left) with Kim and Bob Simms on a cruise to the Caribbean.
Bob met Eugene while they were working together in Michigan.
RETIREE CORNER
ADVICE FROM BOB AND KIM SIMMS:
1. Be open to new ideas, so you can teach
others what you've learned.
2. Enjoy what you do and be open to changes.
3. Do your best, and the company will
reward you.
4. Spend time with your family.
5. Buy stock – that's why we were able to retire
when we did. Start early, the investment will
grow over time.
