Brian Simbeck

Brian Edward Simbeck, beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend passed away Sunday, September 30th in his home after a valiant battle with cancer. Brian was born on August 14, 1963, to JoAnne Gray Simbeck and Jon Ed Simbeck in DuBois, PA. As a child he lived in Alamosa, Lake City, and Mancos, CO, Ackron, OH, and Aloha, OR. He participated in 4H and boy scouts (his mom was the den mother) and competed in the Washington County Fairs winning several ribbons, including 1st place in 1976 for horse showmanship.
In 1977, Brian moved to Franktown, CO, where he played youth hockey until he enrolled in Mullen HS where he lettered in football, basketball, and track, and was on 3 state champion football teams. His senior year, he transferred to Douglas County HS, where he continued to star in those same sports and was voted prom king! Brian attended the University of Northern Colorado on a football scholarship to play defensive back, but knee injuries sidelined him. In 1983, Brian moved to Durango and attended Fort Lewis College where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education. It was at Fort Lewis College that he met his wife of 30 years, Cathy Mohr, a professor and basketball coach.
After college Brian coached football and taught Exercise Science courses at FLC and worked for Durango Parks and Recreation running Chapman Hill ski area in the winter and the outdoor pool in the summer. In 1992, Brian and his parents started Simbeck and Associates, a liner containment systems company that installs nationwide.
Brian loved the outdoors: kayaking, fishing, hiking/snowshoeing, camping, and gardening. He also played recreational softball and hockey. His daughters, Briana, and Caitlin were the light of his life. He was so proud of their many accomplishments and particularly loved attending their high school and collegiate sporting events. Brian will be remembered for his humor, adventurous spirit, and ability to make everyone feel valued.
Brian is survived by his wife, Cathy, and their two daughters, Caitlin Michelle and Briana Lynne (fiancé, Jeremy Sirios), He is also survived by his mother, JoAnne, and by his four younger brothers and their wives: John (Duff) and Rachael (Machbanks), Kevin and Gwen (Brahler), Conor and Carleigh (Heath), Brendan and Candace (Sykes). Brian is also survived by his aunt Nancy and her husband Tom Moore, and his uncle Jim Fitzpatrick all of Du Bois PA, his Uncle Ron Gray and his wife Jenny Browning of Simpsonville, SC, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He will also be missed by his many friends and his unique dog, Stormy.
He was preceded in death by his father, Jon Ed, his aunt Jeanne Fitzpatrick, his uncle, Don Gray, and his cousin, Martin Fitzpatrick.
A recitation of the rosary will take place on Friday, October 5, at 7 PM at St. Columba Catholic Church. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, October 6, at 11 AM, also at St. Columba followed by the interment of his ashes at Greenmount Cemetery in Durango and a celebration of life reception in the St. Columba gym.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your favorite non-profit in his name or to the Brian Simbeck Memorial Fund (at GoFundMe.com) so that contributions can be made in his name by his family to various causes close to his heart. On-line condolences may be sent to family at www.HoodMortuary.com.