BLOOMINGTON
Robert (Bob) Wayne Sims, 80, of Bloomington, IN, passed away on September 27, 2023 in Indianapolis after a battle with cancer. He was born March 21, 1943 in Greenfield, IN, to Wayne Fender and Dorotha Mae (Miller) Sims.
Bob grew up on his family’s farm, helping his father in the fields when he was old enough to drive the Allis Chalmer tractor. He and his older sister, Barbara, both helped care for the chickens, garden, & cattle. Bob was a 1961 graduate of Hancock Central High School and a 1965 graduate of Anderson College. While at Anderson College, he met the love of his life, Carolyn Jean Egelston, and they married on May 28, 1966.
After completing his education, Bob taught math at Triton Central High School in Fairland, IN for 12 years. He spent most of his career in agriculture first as a District Sales Manager for Golden Harvest Seeds/Thorp Seed Company. He continued selling corn and soybean seed for Golden Harvest starting a seed distributorship that he named Bo-Ca Enterprises, Inc., taking the “Bo” from Bob and the “Ca” from Carolyn, based in New Castle, IN.
Bob was an avid sports-lover – especially basketball and tennis. He listened to as many IU basketball games on the radio as he could. Bob also loved to play basketball, playing both at the high school and collegiate level. He coached basketball and track at Triton Central. While his girls played basketball, he helped start an AAU girls’ basketball program in New Castle. He also painted lines in his warehouse so that the New Castle Girls Tennis team could practice in winter. Bob loved playing tennis, especially in retirement with his team at Pelican Preserve in Ft. Myers, FL.
Both Bob and Carolyn loved to travel. They led many trips with customers over the years they called “Fun in the Sun” trips. Bob always wanted to see Bora Bora, so that is where they began their 40th anniversary trip. He also loved spending time at the lake with family and friends, particularly at Barren River State Park Reservoir in Kentucky.
Bob was first and foremost a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He cherished time with his grandkids playing games, getting ice cream, playing pickleball, gardening, but most of all watching and supporting them in the various activities and sports.
Bob is survived by his wife, daughters Sherry (Dave) Young, and Cindy (Mark) Tirey, all of Bloomington, IN, five grandchildren Natalie and Sean Young, and Aleksander, Clara Jane and Wesley Tirey, and sister Barbara Kyser of Greenfield, IN, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Sean Lee Sims, and brother-in-law Everett Kyser, Jr.
Bob’s way of always saying goodbye to his family was to say L.E.O., which means Love Each Other – a term used by the IU football team. To honor his goodbye, we would ask for you to say goodbye in your own way by wearing attire in tribute to him – IU/LEO shirt, Golden Harvest, or any other way you’d like to pay tribute.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Stillinger Family Funeral Home, 1780 West Main Street, Greenfield, IN. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., also at the funeral home. Burial will be in Park Cemetery, Greenfield. Memorial Contributions may also be made to Christ Community Church Mission Fund, 504 S High St, Bloomington, IN 47401 or to Josiah White’s, 5233 S 50 E, Wabash, IN 46992.
If you would like to sign the online guest book or send condolences to the family, you may do so by visiting www.stillingerfamily.com
