Free State High School physics and chemistry teacher Brad Simon died on Dec. 13 at the age of 53. The cause of his death is uncertain, but it is speculated that it was a heart attack. He had taught for three years at Free State and sponsored the chess club and the robotics club.

Funeral services for Simon will begin today, Dec. 19 at 1 p.m at  Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th St.

Many of his students, both past and present, remember him as an excellent teacher and person.

Here is what some of them had to say:

“He was a fun guy. He was passionate about his job. He definitely did make his way into the hearts of students and get to know them.”-Senior Bryant Alvarez

“How do you make middle school amazing…. 8th Grade Science Teachers like Mr. Simon. He walked on water in my world. It was actually desks, but when the lights in the classroom went down, black lights revealed the stars. He would use a long stick and hop from desk to desk (not so gracefully) slapping the ceiling while identifying constellations. I asked him to look at a telescope that I’d received for Christmas because I was having problems getting it to focus. Next day he returned it to me announcing good and bad news. Good news I had my very own mini-hubble, congratulations! Bad news like the real Hubble Space Telescope my own had an optical defect issue. He had me figure out what that meant. I still have that telescope and remember that one of the mirrors was too flat causing spherical aberration, a flaw that causes the image to be out of focus and bounce light. He made science cool. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.”-Kristi Dunn, Class of’94, Ottawa HS

“I will always remember his alter ego, Captain Chemistry! He was without a doubt my favorite.”-Michael Crane, class of ’94, Ottawa HS

“He was an awesome teacher. I spent a day “student teaching” with him when I was in high school. He was an awesome influence. I will miss him too.”-Chris Lemke Chapman, class of ’94, Ottawa HS

“He was one of those teachers who went way above and beyond to try to ignite an interest in science in us. Our Science Club field trip to Hutchinson was one of my favorite OMS memories, probably for the wrong reasons (as someone got sick in the Maroon Cruiser on the drive back). It’s such a shame he went so young.”-Angie Warren Hood, class of ’93, Ottawa HS

“After my husband had his heart attack, Brad and I were talking, and we discovered Ernie and Brad had the same heart surgeon. He periodically stopped by and checked up on Ernie’s progress and shared his own recovery journey. I cannot help but feel like Brad’s family and mine could have been in each other’s shoes. My heart goes out to them.”-Laurie Johnson Folsom, class of ‘93, Ottawa HS & Free State High School journalism adviser

“He had a great sense of humor and even greater sense of how to ignite the imagination with science.”-Megan Denton, class of ‘93, Ottawa HS

“The only reason I know any constellations is because of that class. Almost every time i look at the stars I think of it…However, I don’t remember belting out the Big Chill, but i have no doubt I was a participant. A special prayer to Mr. Simon and his family tonight when I look up!”-Sarah Gibson, class of ‘93, Ottawa HS

“Mr. Simon was one of the best teachers I ever had! I was fortunate I was able to tell him before he passed (when I was older and realized how blessed we were). I substitute taught with him at OMS a couple times. There was one day, I was in tears when I came to my class because my world was falling apart, and by the end of the class, he had me laughing and feeling like it was going to be ok. Our thoughts and prayers will go for his family, students, and friends!” -Kristi Jensen McMillen, class of ’94, Ottawa HS