Matt Simmons Dies at 67

Matthew R. Simmons, founder of the Ocean Energy Research Institute in Rockland, Maine, passed away suddenly on Sunday night of an apparent heart attack, he was 67. He is survived by his wife, Ellen, and their five daughters. Mr. Simmons was also former chairman of Simmons & Company International.

Mr. Simmons had recently retired from Simmons & Company, the company in which he founded, to focus his attention on the Ocean Energy Institute, a non-profit research institution dedicated to the development of ocean energy with a focus on offshore wind energy. As the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Simmons was dedicated to the development of clean energy from our oceans.

Mr. Simmons also served as Chairman Emeritus of Simmons & Company International, one of the world's largest energy investment banking firms. He was past Chairman of the National Ocean Industries Association and past President of the Harvard Business School Alumni Association. Mr. Simmons also authored the book Twilight in the Desert: the Coming Saudi Oil Shock and the World Economy, which examines oil reserve decline rates to raise awareness of the unreliability of Middle East oil reserves. Mr. Simmons was a graduate of the University of Utah and received an MBA with Distinction from Harvard Business School.

The Maritime Executive was fortunate enough to meet and interview Mr. Simmons in July. Our most recent issue of the magazine features this interview in which the well respected industry executive discusses the oil spill, peak oil, and the future of energy.

Details of the services are pending. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Ocean Energy Research Institute.

CONTACT:

Robert West
207-593-7725, ext 104
[email protected]

Judy Gristwood
713-227-0576 / 713-227-0577
[email protected]