Roy M. Simmons

Longtime Columbia Helicopters pilot and executive served as HAI chair in 2004.

Roy M. Simmons, a Past chair of the HAI Board of Directors, past president of Columbia Helicopters, and a US Marine Corps (USMC) veteran, died Dec. 20, 2023. He was 87.

After attending naval flight school in the late 1950s, Simmons joined the USMC, switching to the Marine Corps Reserves in 1963 after leaving active duty as a captain. He then worked as a pilot for JN Conley while also overseeing payroll and managing insurance programs for the heavy-construction contracting company.

In 1966, Simmons met Wes Lematta, founder and owner of Columbia Helicopters. Shortly thereafter, he began working for Lematta as a line pilot. Three years later, Simmons retired from the military as a major. He continued to work for Columbia for 33 years in various roles, including chief pilot, operations manager, director of flight operations, and executive vice president. In 1992, he became president of Columbia Helicopters, retiring from the company in 1999 while continuing to serve on its board of directors.

Simmons was passionate about helicopters and served on many boards and committees, both inside and outside the aviation industry. He served on the HAI Board of Directors as assistant treasurer, treasurer, vice chair, and, in 2004, chair.