RIP Doctor Frederick Simeone

[SuperBird4404BBL]

https://simeonemuseum.org/uncategorized/the-loss-of-our-hero

The Loss of Our Hero
Late last evening (Saturday), as the first rays of light began to appear on the Mulsanne Straight, we lost our hero and champion, Dr. Frederick Simeone. Mere words cannot convey our overwhelming grief and sadness, nor can they express what this great man meant to so many people.

We will have more to say in the coming days and weeks, but we do find comfort and meaning in the fact that our friend passed in the midst of his beloved Le Mans, and we know his spirit is now eternally driving along with the legends he considered to be his heroes.

Godspeed, Dr. Simeone. We will always love you and miss you. Thank you for the gifts you have given this world. There will never be another man like you.

As more information becomes available, we will announce it here and on our website. www.simeonemuseum.org

[Murpowa]

Certainly one of a kind.

Race in peace

[str5010]

Big loss. I highly recommend a visit to his museum. He gathered an incredible collection of racing history.

[13COBRA]

Big loss. I highly recommend a visit to his museum. He gathered an incredible collection of racing history.

Probably the best ever.

[SuperBird4404BBL]

Mourning the Loss of Dr. Frederick Simeone
Frederick Anthony Simeone

(June 8, 1936 – June 11, 2022)

Dr. Frederick Anthony Simeone (86) of Philadelphia passed away peacefully while surrounded by family on Saturday evening at Pennsylvania Hospital, a place he considered a second home.

Frederick grew up in the Kensington & Allegheny neighborhood of Philadelphia and attended Thomas Edison High School. He received a college scholarship to Temple University and continued there for medical school before completing residencies at the Mayo Clinic and University of Pennsylvania. He performed research and neurosurgery as full-time faculty at Harvard University Medical school, later becoming Chairman of Neurosurgery at Pennsylvania Hospital for over 25 years. As Chief of Neurosurgery at Jefferson Medical College, Dr. Simeone convinced the Wills Eye Institute in cooperation with Thomas Jefferson University to provide space for specialized neurosurgical procedures such as stereotaxis, interventional radiology, and complex spine surgery. He performed original research on cerebral vasospasm and published widely on a broad array of neurosurgical topics, including the seminal textbook on spinal surgery, The Spine, co-authored with Dr. Richard Rothman.

After intense days of performing and preparing for surgery, Fred relaxed with automotive research. He methodically investigated and procured vehicles he considered works of art, growing the four cars inherited from his father to a collection of over 75 rare antiques. Fred established the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in 2008, donating his collection of racing sports cars and automobile literature for posterity and public display. His museum was recognized as the best in the world by the Classic Car Trust (2019), International Car Museum of the Year by the Octane Awards (2017), and Car Museum of the Year by the International Historic Motoring Awards (2011). His Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe was the first car to be placed on the National Historic Vehicle Register (2014) and his book on automobile preservation was named publication of the year by the International Historic Motoring Awards (2013). The quality of the collection is attributed to his preservation philosophy (restore not rebuild), focus on vehicles with racing histories, and the collection’s uniting theme, “The Spirit of Competition”. Owing to his interest in genetics, this theme reflects his fascination with the evolution of vehicle design to win competitions during the first decades of the automobile.

Dr. Simeone was a Major in the U.S. Army and was knighted (Cavaliere) by the president of the republic of Italy.

In addition to his many achievements, he was a kind-hearted, warm, and relatable person with a fantastic sense of humor, who would do anything to help a friend in need. Importantly, Fred was the best father in the world. Despite his busy schedule and intense responsibilities, he managed to always make his daughter feel loved and that she was his number-one priority. He taught his daughter how to be an ethical person, the importance of finding a career with passion, the necessity of giving back, and the joy of optimistic hard work. He listened on the phone for hours when she needed to talk and helped guide her through every challenge until she learned to guide herself.

Frederick is survived by his daughter (Christina Simeone, PhD), son-in-law (Jonathan Burton), and granddaughter (Alessandra Burton).

A public memorial for Dr. Simeone will be held on Thursday, June 16 at the

Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum
6825 Norwitch Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19153

Please visit anytime from 3 pm to 7 pm.

[capevettes]

What a fine gentleman he was. I never had the pleasure of meeting him but admired him. What a resume. This is a great loss to the car community and the world. RIP Doc.

[Viperenvy]

Huge loss to the community.

The Philadelphia Concours on June 25th will certainly have a different mood.

I was looking forward to meeting him.

[Matt M, Pa]

A wonderful man. I had the privilege to meet him before the museum, when his collection was in a small, former parking garage just off South Street. At that time, nothing was roped off and he was generous with his time and knowledge. We toured the two floors of this garage with all the priceless, historic vehicles.

[gfviperman]

My favorite auto museum ... always look forward to a visit ...

he was special ...