Henry 'Hank' Simbro, 83

Henry “Hank” Simbro, 83, born in Springfield, Ill., husband of Muriel Simbro, father of daughters Jessie Sparks, Jamie Hamm and Jennie Cooney, formerly of Heron, Mont., quietly passed away at his home in Clark Fork, Idaho, with his wife, Muriel, at his side on Jan. 22, 2010.

Hank was a World War II Marine Corps Purple Heart veteran, wounded at Iwo Jima. Returning from the war, he married his childhood sweetheart, Muriel, and they spent 63 wonderful years together.

Hank’s working career was spent with Eastman Kodak in Hollywood, Calif.

During his life, Hank was a pilot of his own aircraft, enjoying many hours of flying with his wife and daughters. He developed a passion for skydiving and his competitive nature led him and his wife to world-class status, competing in the 1962 World Olympic Parachute Championships.

Retiring from Kodak at 47, Hank moved his wife and daughter, Jennie, to Heron. He loved to hunt, fish and ride his Harley. He enjoyed putting many miles on his bike. Preparing for a trip to Sturgis, he had a major crash and lost his leg. But Hank recovered and enjoyed making four trips to Sturgis over the next five years of his life with his wife and friends.

After living 30 years at the end of Elk Creek Road in Heron, Hank and his wife moved to Clark Fork to level ground. Hankd did what he loved to do and did it well.

He is survived by his wife, Muriel; his daughter, Jamie, and her husband, Stan Hamm of Trout Creek, Mont.; his daughter Jennie and her husband, Glen Gooney of Stanwood, Wash.; six grandchildren, Jason, Rhianna, Zach, Sierra, Brandy and Jake; and five great-grandchildren, Jason Jr., Justine, Michael, Dillon, and Zoey. Hank was preceded in death by his oldest daughter, Jessie Sparks.

Hank wished to be cremated and his graveside service will be held in the spring.