Mike Simmons developed an interest in astronomy and space exploration at a very early age, excitedly watching the "Space Age" unfold during the 1950's and 1960's. Following an adolescent hiatus from astronomy, his interest was rekindled as a young adult when he could afford the toys of the hobby. Finally an active amateur astronomer in the 1970's, he joined the Los Angeles Astronomical Society and served as the society's president, vice president and just about everything else throughout the decade. As an operator of the 12-inch Zeiss refractor at Griffith