District: 1
Hometown: Tulsa, Oklahoma; Tulsa County
Birthplace: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Robert D. Simms graduated from sand Springs High School in 1943, receiving the Craftsman Award as the outstanding all-around senior boy. He enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in May, 1943, and was honorable discharged three years later. He then attended Milligan College in Tennessee, Phillips University in Enid and the University of Tulsa where he received his law degree in 1950.
Simms practiced law in Sand Springs until 1953, when he was appointed Assistant Tulsa County Attorney, later serving as first assistant and chief-criminal prosecutor. Simms was elected Tulsa County Attorney in 1958 and served until 1961, when he was appointed District Judge for Tulsa County. He was elected to that position in 1962, and remained until his appointment to the Court Of Criminal Appeals in December, 1971. Judge Simms was then appointed to the Supreme Court on October 2, 1972. He has the distinction of serving on both of Oklahoma’s appellate courts of last resort.