1949 President Leo Friedrich Simon

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Leo Friedrich Simon was born in San Francisco on June 18, 1890, the oldest of nine children. At the age of 12, he removed with his family to Portland where he has since lived.

His formal education was obtained in parochial schools in San Francisco and Portland, supplemented by numerous extension courses, beginning with a course in geology for the mountaineer scheduled by the Mazamas in 1922 and taught by Dr. Edwin T. Hodge. In 1916 he started a series of extension courses in a variety of fields covering chemistry, art appreciation, design, botany, paleontology, biology, taxidermy, and ornithology. Upon completing courses in geology taught by Dr. Warren D. Smith, Dr. Earl Packard, he rejoined the class that organized the Geological Society of the Oregon Country. In the spring of 1935 Dr. Hodge informed Leo that his class wished to organize a Society in order to further interest in geology and to continue field trips in the Oregon Country. The charter membership was closed with 100 members in October.

After engaging in several different occupations, Mr. Simon found his greatest interest in photography; so for sixty-three years he has made it his vocation.

1949 - LEO FRIEDRICH SIMON (Charter Member)

He was married on August 12, 1918, to Johanna M. George. They had two daughters: Lotus, who is married to Dr. Wilmer J. Miller, has two sons, Douglas and Alan. They live in Ames, Iowa. Mitzi, now Mrs. Robert Connelly, had two children, Larry Cage and Mrs. Linda Landis who has a son, Paul. The Simon's family home is at 7006 S. E. 21st Avenue.

Mr. Simon's activities in the Geological Society have covered a wide field, including, besides the position of president, those of vice-president, treasurer, director, the chairmanship of many various committees, trip leader on many occasions, Thursday luncheon chairman, and annual banquet ticket seller for 35 years.

Many are the friends of Leo Simon who can express their amazement at the uniqueness of this man only with the words of the poet, Oliver Goldsmith:

"... and still the wonder grew, That one small head could carry all he knew."

Is there another man in Portland town who in his nearly four score years has so endeared himself to so many and who has so actively participated in so many facets of nature's world?

His friendships can not be measured but a listing of his active interests is attempted:

  • Commercial Photographers Association, Member since 1924, Vice president 1930, Treasurer since 1930.

  • Forest Park Committee of 50

  • Federation of Outdoor Clubs Member Trails Club

  • Geological Society of the Oregon Country:

    • Charter member 1935

    • First husband and wife team to be given Honorary Life Memberships

    • President 1949

    • Fellow 1950

  • Mazamas, Member 1922 to sometime

  • Oregon Academy of Science:

    • Charter member 1942

    • Citation - Feb. 28, 1970 Sponsored by Raymond S. Corcoran, "The Oregon Academy of Sciences meeting in its annual convention has on recommendation of its council awarded this citation to Leo F. Simon in recognition of outstanding services to the state of Oregon in the field of science."

  • Oregon Agate and Mineral Society, Member since 1947, Custodian of Properties, 1954-57

  • Oregon Audubon Society, Director from 1926 to 1967, Honorary Life Member 1975, President 1965 and 1966, (Longest Active Member - 56 years in 1975)

  • Oregon Camellia Society member since 1945

  • Oregon Entomological Society member since 1950

  • Oregon Herpetology Society member since I960

  • Oregon Marine Biological Society Charter member 1955

  • Oregon Mycological Society, Charter member 1949, Honorary Life member

  • Oregon Museum of Science and Industry:

    • Member since beginning 1946

    • Trustee for 2 three-year terms 1960-1966

    • Honorary Trustee 1967, 1968, 1969,-1975,

    • Award - OMSI trophy, Oct. 18, 1956, "To Leo E. Simon - OMSI's greatest authority on everything scientific." John Mosser, President

  • Oregon Native Plant Society Member since I960 President 1965

  • Pacific Northwest Bird and Mammal Society Member since 1928

  • Portland Men's Garden Club

    • Member since 1938

    • Program Chairman 1939

    • Pilgrimage Chairman 1940-42

    • Director 1943-45, 1963-65

    • Life member 1965

    • Award - Bronze Medal, 1968, "Thirty years faithful service"

  • Western States Chiropractic College - Portland, Honorary Doctorate of Natural Science - 1970

Leo spends many happy hours with interests in his home and yard. His stamp collection which numbers in the thousands has taken him on many journeys around the world and acquainted him familiarly with numerous far away and out of the way places.

He keeps a collection of rare dried plants and flowers in his home and agate, mineral, and fossil specimens, each of which he is able to give technical data about and its scientific classification and name.

His yard is a sanctuary of wild flowers and plants. Every identification of wild flower trip to Bird Creek Meadows on Mt. Adams or other alpine trip finds Leo to be an authority for identification as his life-time familiarity is treasured.

The recent Academy of Science citation was one of special significance to Leo. This acclamation of respect accorded him by professional men of science was to him the epitome and "greatest honor that ever happened to me."

Historical note from Carol Hasenberg in 2024:

While on the board of directors of the Hazelwood Neighborhood Association between 2014 and 2020, I became acquainted with Iris Newhouse, who was Leo Simon’s niece. She had greatly admired her Uncle Leo and told me he was a very fun and interesting individual, a true Renaissance man.