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Phil Simmons Award

Hulk

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Cruise Moab Committee
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Location
Centennial
Phil Simmons was a Rising Sun member who lost his battle with Leukemia in July 2004. Most who knew Phil wouldn’t have known he had a disease though, as his enthusiasm and positive attitude towards Toyota Land Cruisers and Rising Sun prevailed at every interaction.

Phil’s passing was a significant loss to our group, at a time when our club was growing and membership was flourishing, the event was humbling and reflective, with an emptiness created almost beyond description. And so our leadership chose to memorialize Phil’s contribution to our club and community by creating an annual award that commemorates a member who has exhibits outstanding behavior congruent with Phil’s own. This highly regarded, and most prestigious award is awarded annually, chosen by the Club Commander, other officers, and past recipients.

The award is intended to recognize one member who has gone above and beyond, acting in the spirit that has become Phil’s legacy. These members are revered to embody the selfless, inclusive, and positive sprit that we will always remember about Phil Simmons, and regardless personal spiritual beliefs we all agree that in some way, Phil is looking down on each one of them smiling, and tipping his Cruise Moab hat, as his spirit lives on among each one of them.

Key behavioral characteristics of members who have received the Phil Simmons award:
  • Positive, welcoming behavior at club meetings and events.
  • Outstanding volunteer work for Rising Sun, TLCA, COHVCO, Blue Ribbon, and other organizations dedicated to preserving our hobby.
  • Enthusiasm for all things Land Cruiser, TLCA, and Rising Sun, and the ability to inspire that in others.
Phil_Simmons.jpeg
 

Hulk

RS Webmaster
Staff member
Moderator
Cruise Moab Committee
Joined
Aug 22, 2005
Messages
16,429
Location
Centennial
The Phil Simmons award has been given to the following Rising Sun members:

December 2006 - Kevin Ehrlick @Uncle Ben
February 2008 - Ige Gustavson @nuclearlemon
February 2009 - Bill Morgan @Red_Chili
February 2010 - Ken Romer @Romer
March 2011 - Ricardo Maestas @RicardoJM
April 2012 - Matt Farr @Hulk
October 2013 - Tim Nakari @nakman
November 2014 - Marco Capote @rover67
November 2015 - Jeff Zepp @Rzeppa
November 2018 - Dan Kucera @MountainGoat
December 2020 - Jackson Philby @jps8460
July 2022 - Greg Luer @Cheeseman
 
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