David C. Sims

David C. Sims, 88, passed away on Thursday, September 19, 2013 at home in Bethany Village, Mechanicsburg.

Born in 1924 in Erie, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Frederick and Mary Magdalene Sims.

David Sims was a wonderful father and a devoted family man. He loved the outdoors, especially hiking the Appalachian Trail and exploring Acadia National Park. His sense of humor and kindness made the world around him smile.

Retired from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation after 30 years of service, he served sixteen and a half years as Deputy Secretary for Highway Administration. He previously worked for eight years on the design and construction of highways in West Virginia, Massachusetts and Maine for a Boston contractor.

David served as National Treasurer for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and as the President of the Association of Highway Officials North Atlantic States.

He was the Past President of the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Past President of the Harrisburg Chapter of the American Society of Highway Engineers. He received the Engineering Excellence Award from the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers.

He was a member of the Camp Hill United Methodist Church where he had served as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and as a teacher for the Challengers Sunday School Class; Perry Lodge # 392, F. & A.M., Erie; Harrisburg Consistory; and Zembo Shrine.

He was a member of the State Transportation Advisory Committee for many years. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors for both the Harrisburg Bridge Club and the West Shore YMCA.

He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University in State College. During his college career he was a member of the Acacia Fraternity where he served as Venerable Dean.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War 2 in England and France and at discharge held the rank of Staff Sargent in an M.P. Battalion.

Surviving are his cherished wife of 63 years, Lois McCormick Sims; his son, Mark and his wife Susan of Staunton, Virginia; daughter Wendy Waichler of Winthrop, Washington; and, daughter Carol Sims of Truckee, California. Also surviving are grandchildren Kristy Piniero and her husband Captain James Piniero and their three children; Anna Cope and her husband Jason Cope, PhD.; Nathan Sims; Emma Sue Sims; Claire Waichler; and Colin Waichler.

A memorial service will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, October 12, 2013 at Bethany Village, 325 Wesley Drive, Mechanicsburg in the Community Room. A visitation will be held at the same location from 1 PM until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bethany Village Care Assurance Fund (http://www.bethanyvillage.org), 325 Wesley Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 or Hospice of Central PA (hospiceofcentralpa.org), 1320 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17110.

For more information or to send messages of condolence, please visit www.Parthemore.com.