KSU journalism professor Simon dead at 61

Todd F. Simon, professor of journalism and former head of the A.Q. Miller School of Journalism at Kansas State University, died of an apparent heart attack on Monday, March 5, 2012.

Simon was 61.

He ws born in Omaha on Feb. 1, 1951. He received a B.S. in Journalism in 1974 from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and became the editor of the west Omaha zoned edition of the Omaha Sun. From 1976 to 1981, he was a part-time instructor at UNO and did freelance writing, public relations, photography and design.

Simon earned a J.D. degree from Boston College Law School in 1980. He was a professor at Michigan State University from 1984 to 1996.

In 1997, Simon was named director of the Miller School at K-State, where he served until 2004. Since then, he had been a professor in the school.

He is survived by his wife, Geri; daughters Gail of Manhattan and Nora of Portland, Ore.; mother, a brother and a sister.

A memorial service is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sunday at All Faiths Chapel at K-State. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Manhattan Public Library children's library expansion project or to a memorial fund for K-State students in Todd Simon's name: KSU Foundation 2223 Anderson Ave., Manhattan, KS 66502-2911.