It was Tuesday, September 2, 1958, my first day in the 6th grade at Vista del Valle Elementary School. We had just moved from Cincinnati, Ohio, only weeks before. I was the new kid in school, knowing only my little brother Denny at the time. One of the first kids I met was Aubrey “Orb” Simmons. We were drawn to each other, for the most part, because of our athletic commonality. We spent our recesses outside playing each and every sport together on Vista’s playground and adjoining community park (Wheeler Park.) Little did I know this was going to be the beginning of a friendship that would last over sixty years.
Over that year and many years throughout our graduation in 1965, we spent many hours together at each other’s houses. Orb, who was a very accomplished guitar player and vocalist would entertain at his house; we spent time at Linda Hirsch’s house learning how to dance the “stroll” with she and Vicki Sloan; we were in constant competition at Wheeler Park’s after school recreational programs (Carroms, ping-pong, Duncan Yo-Yo competition, basketball and flag football). In those days, each park had different teams that would compete in different sports, primarily basketball and flag football. That flag football program was the genesis of our outstanding high school football teams at Claremont. Who will ever forget those exciting punt returns, when Orb would pick-up a seemingly “dead ball” and run it back for a touchdown? “Catch me, catch my lucky charms;” so appropriate!
Orb and our “posse” spent countless and endless hours playing “over-the-line” at Wheeler; anyone remember how to play. Our goal was to hit the baseball over the infield/outfield line, but hopefully over the walnut trees in the outfield. We spent many years competing with and against each other throughout high school and always remained good friends.
One of my best memories was at the Memorial Park, reunion Saturday, at our 40th Reunion; Orb brought his guitar and played, bringing back good memories. We also got together with some of our old “posse” and played over-the-line; good times! Although we drifted apart over our succeeding years, living and working in different parts of California, we always seemed to make contact. Most recently, at several of Cathy Cordova’s Mini-reunions, we again made contact; GREAT TIMES! Thank you, Cathy.
Here is a story I can now tell. In junior high, Orb, Denny and I were walking down through the “groves” towards Arrow Highway after school. We decided to pick some of the very hard, un-ripened fruit from one of the trees and, as we approached the opening onto Arrow Highway, we were going to “pelt” the next car that passed. We heard the car coming, drew back and fired the hard fruit at the car, only to note that it was a Claremont Police car. All of the fruit found its mark on the door of the radio car. We were heard to yell “OH SHIT” as we scurried across Arrow Highway, down Geneva Drive, as the radio car skidded to a stop, and made an abrupt u-turn. We all made the first left into an alleyway towards Cinderella Drive, where Denny and I lived. Denny kept running through the wooded area and onto our house. Orb and I ran under a very big over-hanging Willow tree and climbed as high as we could, as the radio car skidded to a stop at the opening of the alley. The officer exited the radio car and began to search for us. He walked under the Willow tree and looked about, but never looked up. (A lesson I learned on that day, which I would use in my profession, while searching for burglars in a building, I always looked up.) After what seemed like an eternity, the officer finally gave up the search and left. We stayed up there for “some time” after, before we had enough courage to come down. Sorry Chief Martin!
On the first week of June, I received some terrible heart rendering news; Susan, Orb’s wife called and said Orb had been admitted to the hospital with kidney and liver failure, as well as he had suffered his third heart attack in the hospital. Further, tests had revealed severe liver cancer that had metastasized throughout his entire body. The worst part was Susan could not be with him because of the Covid-19 virus. On the morning of July 2nd, Susan called and said Orb, who had finally been allowed to come home, had passed away.
I will miss my friend Orb, but I will always have all of the wonderful memories we had together.
Some things we keep. Like a best friend that moved away or a classmate we grew up with, or a brother who left way to soon!
There are just some things that make life important, like people we know who are special........ And so, we keep them close!
Good friends are like stars.... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there. Keep them close!
Aubrey was such a nice guy, it was heartbreaking to hear about him being ill, his passing stunned us all. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Susan, and his family and friends, who have losts one of their most important figures in their lives. I went to school with Aubrey from Junior High through High School, but only knew of him, he was always smiling as he walked around the campus, and going to sports games I knew he was a strong player on the teams. It was only in recent years that I got the pleasure of getting to know him when he attended Class Reunions, and mini-reunions at my home, for 2-3 years. He was fun, and truly funny, everyone had a good time with him. I got to meet his wife with him at an awards get together, for Claremont Sports Super Stars, several years ago and she was such a nice person, her and Aubrey made a very special couple. Her loss is heartfelt, they were married for approximately 30 years. My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family. I hope to keep in touch with Susan over the years.
Rest in Peace Aubrey, we will always miss you, but we will all get together again some day for another reunion among the Angel's. Here's a picture of Aubrey in a group of Class of '65 friends in 2014. Glad there was a picture with him standing in the middle. We had fun that day.
It may have been Leo Durocher who snapped, "Nice guys finish last." If it was, he never met 34.
In 1958, we moved to Claremont; 431 Vista Drive. There were always guys at Wheeler Park, up for some tackle football, barefoot, sans pads or hats. I whiffed on a guy, and looked bad doing it, countless times. He wasn't any taller than me, yet I have never seen a 6th Grader, then to now, with more muscles and more raw speed. It was the smile I most recall. "Almost had me that time!" (Almost is a term very differently applied, dependent on its user. I knew I couldn't've impeded him with a lasso.) Everyone called him Orb.
Know this -- there was never a more gifted athlete with lesser ego. 34's helmet never got too tight. But I am jumping ahead.
At CJHS, we were never in the same classes. Still, passing in the corridors, I would regularly tweak his ears, or pull down his books, from behind. It was the only time I could get close enough, inasmuch as running was proscribed. He'd grin, shake his head, and laugh. He knew how much it meant to me.
At CHS around 1964, we wound up alphabetically seated next to each other in Music Class (of all places), back row. He was starting at halfback for the Wolfpack, wearing 34, and making opposing tacklers look almost as inept as he had me. My hero was swapping quips with me, playing Quick Draw with pencils to the knuckles. It was the only time I ever was able to make contact; he likely let me. That was 34's way. And then one Friday night, he turned the ball over on a vicious hit in a hole that Coach Cohn had diagrammed to be there, but wasn't.
Come Monday in Music, I started calling him Fumbles. Big laugh, bigger grin. What a wonderful elf was he! My intention was to apply Reverse Psychology. And it worked! He thence clutched that ball with both hands, like grim death. And every succeeding Monday, there was that grin. "I'm not about to give you the satisfaction of calling me Fumbles again!" And he didn't.
When I found this site, eight years back, Kathy tutored me on how it works, and one of my first "contacts" was 34. It was a week before Christmas, but he and I wrote lengthily. We pledged to break bread after the holidays. But Life interdicted. And now comes this. My heart and stomach are fighting for space in my throat. I have cheated myself out of so much.
34, I have been blessed with two cubs, both Marines, both a lot like you, and one nearly as quick. (They get it from my bride, no doubt.) But it could be owing to those few times I was able to touch you, and the leprecaun's magic rubbed off. RIP. Semper Fi to one very good man, from one among so many who will always treasure your memory. (Tip to those opposing angels on the other sideline -- do NOT punt the ball to 34.)
Aubrey and I had a 'reasonably' good rock and role band in the sixties. We played a number of gig's in and around Claremont. Aubrey was a huge fan of Chet Adkins guitar style and I am convinced he is sitting with Chet 'pickin & grinning' as I write this. He was a very close friend during those 'formative' years. We played freshman football against each other in college (La Verne vs Cal Poly) and renewed our friendship. We lost track after college. I am so glad I hunted him down at work a few years ago. Our reunion was very special. I will see you again my friend bring your guitar and I will drag out my keyboard. I guarantee there is a 'Rock & Role' section in heaven!
Though life, school, wars, and work inexorably draw us away from our hometown, we always remember those who made those memories so good and comforting. Aubrey was one of those who did that for all of us; he was a good friend to everyone around him. Thank you Bob for that great photo which reminds us of his great smile. God bless you, Aubrey.
I grew up next door to Aubrey. I never heard him called Orb. I remember him being a nice and gentle person. His mom and my mom were best friends for a long time, then they moved. I never knew where they went. I'm sorry that he passed.
Bob Ruh (1965)
December 10, 1946 to July 2, 2020
It was Tuesday, September 2, 1958, my first day in the 6th grade at Vista del Valle Elementary School. We had just moved from Cincinnati, Ohio, only weeks before. I was the new kid in school, knowing only my little brother Denny at the time. One of the first kids I met was Aubrey “Orb” Simmons. We were drawn to each other, for the most part, because of our athletic commonality. We spent our recesses outside playing each and every sport together on Vista’s playground and adjoining community park (Wheeler Park.) Little did I know this was going to be the beginning of a friendship that would last over sixty years.
Over that year and many years throughout our graduation in 1965, we spent many hours together at each other’s houses. Orb, who was a very accomplished guitar player and vocalist would entertain at his house; we spent time at Linda Hirsch’s house learning how to dance the “stroll” with she and Vicki Sloan; we were in constant competition at Wheeler Park’s after school recreational programs (Carroms, ping-pong, Duncan Yo-Yo competition, basketball and flag football). In those days, each park had different teams that would compete in different sports, primarily basketball and flag football. That flag football program was the genesis of our outstanding high school football teams at Claremont. Who will ever forget those exciting punt returns, when Orb would pick-up a seemingly “dead ball” and run it back for a touchdown? “Catch me, catch my lucky charms;” so appropriate!
Orb and our “posse” spent countless and endless hours playing “over-the-line” at Wheeler; anyone remember how to play. Our goal was to hit the baseball over the infield/outfield line, but hopefully over the walnut trees in the outfield. We spent many years competing with and against each other throughout high school and always remained good friends.
One of my best memories was at the Memorial Park, reunion Saturday, at our 40th Reunion; Orb brought his guitar and played, bringing back good memories. We also got together with some of our old “posse” and played over-the-line; good times! Although we drifted apart over our succeeding years, living and working in different parts of California, we always seemed to make contact. Most recently, at several of Cathy Cordova’s Mini-reunions, we again made contact; GREAT TIMES! Thank you, Cathy.
Here is a story I can now tell. In junior high, Orb, Denny and I were walking down through the “groves” towards Arrow Highway after school. We decided to pick some of the very hard, un-ripened fruit from one of the trees and, as we approached the opening onto Arrow Highway, we were going to “pelt” the next car that passed. We heard the car coming, drew back and fired the hard fruit at the car, only to note that it was a Claremont Police car. All of the fruit found its mark on the door of the radio car. We were heard to yell “OH SHIT” as we scurried across Arrow Highway, down Geneva Drive, as the radio car skidded to a stop, and made an abrupt u-turn. We all made the first left into an alleyway towards Cinderella Drive, where Denny and I lived. Denny kept running through the wooded area and onto our house. Orb and I ran under a very big over-hanging Willow tree and climbed as high as we could, as the radio car skidded to a stop at the opening of the alley. The officer exited the radio car and began to search for us. He walked under the Willow tree and looked about, but never looked up. (A lesson I learned on that day, which I would use in my profession, while searching for burglars in a building, I always looked up.) After what seemed like an eternity, the officer finally gave up the search and left. We stayed up there for “some time” after, before we had enough courage to come down. Sorry Chief Martin!
On the first week of June, I received some terrible heart rendering news; Susan, Orb’s wife called and said Orb had been admitted to the hospital with kidney and liver failure, as well as he had suffered his third heart attack in the hospital. Further, tests had revealed severe liver cancer that had metastasized throughout his entire body. The worst part was Susan could not be with him because of the Covid-19 virus. On the morning of July 2nd, Susan called and said Orb, who had finally been allowed to come home, had passed away.
I will miss my friend Orb, but I will always have all of the wonderful memories we had together.
Some things we keep. Like a best friend that moved away or a classmate we grew up with, or a brother who left way to soon!
There are just some things that make life important, like people we know who are special........ And so, we keep them close!
Good friends are like stars.... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there. Keep them close!
Be well, my friends
Cathy Cordova (1965)
Rest in Peace Aubrey, we will always miss you, but we will all get together again some day for another reunion among the Angel's. Here's a picture of Aubrey in a group of Class of '65 friends in 2014. Glad there was a picture with him standing in the middle. We had fun that day.
Cathy Cordova, Class of '65
Robert House (1965)
Thank you, Cathy and Bob for your beautiful expressions of what we're feeling about the loss of Aubrey.
Douglas Rosenow (1965)
It may have been Leo Durocher who snapped, "Nice guys finish last." If it was, he never met 34.
In 1958, we moved to Claremont; 431 Vista Drive. There were always guys at Wheeler Park, up for some tackle football, barefoot, sans pads or hats. I whiffed on a guy, and looked bad doing it, countless times. He wasn't any taller than me, yet I have never seen a 6th Grader, then to now, with more muscles and more raw speed. It was the smile I most recall. "Almost had me that time!" (Almost is a term very differently applied, dependent on its user. I knew I couldn't've impeded him with a lasso.) Everyone called him Orb.
Know this -- there was never a more gifted athlete with lesser ego. 34's helmet never got too tight. But I am jumping ahead.
At CJHS, we were never in the same classes. Still, passing in the corridors, I would regularly tweak his ears, or pull down his books, from behind. It was the only time I could get close enough, inasmuch as running was proscribed. He'd grin, shake his head, and laugh. He knew how much it meant to me.
At CHS around 1964, we wound up alphabetically seated next to each other in Music Class (of all places), back row. He was starting at halfback for the Wolfpack, wearing 34, and making opposing tacklers look almost as inept as he had me. My hero was swapping quips with me, playing Quick Draw with pencils to the knuckles. It was the only time I ever was able to make contact; he likely let me. That was 34's way. And then one Friday night, he turned the ball over on a vicious hit in a hole that Coach Cohn had diagrammed to be there, but wasn't.
Come Monday in Music, I started calling him Fumbles. Big laugh, bigger grin. What a wonderful elf was he! My intention was to apply Reverse Psychology. And it worked! He thence clutched that ball with both hands, like grim death. And every succeeding Monday, there was that grin. "I'm not about to give you the satisfaction of calling me Fumbles again!" And he didn't.
When I found this site, eight years back, Kathy tutored me on how it works, and one of my first "contacts" was 34. It was a week before Christmas, but he and I wrote lengthily. We pledged to break bread after the holidays. But Life interdicted. And now comes this. My heart and stomach are fighting for space in my throat. I have cheated myself out of so much.
34, I have been blessed with two cubs, both Marines, both a lot like you, and one nearly as quick. (They get it from my bride, no doubt.) But it could be owing to those few times I was able to touch you, and the leprecaun's magic rubbed off. RIP. Semper Fi to one very good man, from one among so many who will always treasure your memory. (Tip to those opposing angels on the other sideline -- do NOT punt the ball to 34.)
Charles Perkins (1965)
Aubrey and I had a 'reasonably' good rock and role band in the sixties. We played a number of gig's in and around Claremont. Aubrey was a huge fan of Chet Adkins guitar style and I am convinced he is sitting with Chet 'pickin & grinning' as I write this. He was a very close friend during those 'formative' years. We played freshman football against each other in college (La Verne vs Cal Poly) and renewed our friendship. We lost track after college. I am so glad I hunted him down at work a few years ago. Our reunion was very special. I will see you again my friend bring your guitar and I will drag out my keyboard. I guarantee there is a 'Rock & Role' section in heaven!
Christopher Duffy (1965)
Though life, school, wars, and work inexorably draw us away from our hometown, we always remember those who made those memories so good and comforting. Aubrey was one of those who did that for all of us; he was a good friend to everyone around him. Thank you Bob for that great photo which reminds us of his great smile. God bless you, Aubrey.
Cherree Weeks (1975)
I grew up next door to Aubrey. I never heard him called Orb. I remember him being a nice and gentle person. His mom and my mom were best friends for a long time, then they moved. I never knew where they went. I'm sorry that he passed.