Earl R. Sims was a man of diverse talents and many interests. He successfully pursued two very different careers after graduating from The University of Tulsa in 1973 with a BS in Chemical Engineering.
Initially, Earl Sims launched a fulfilling career in engineering, working in increasingly responsible positions with UOP and ARCO in process engineering and operations management. During this time, he also earned a Master of Science degree in Management and Administrative Science from the University of Texas at Dallas in 1983.
Earl was drawn to the national debate on energy and environmental public policy, and he was asked to develop policy positions and defend them on the national political stage, testifying before Congress and being appointed by the Secretary of the Interior to the OCS (Outer Continental Shelf) Policy Committee. He also served in senior roles in various trade associations representing oil and gas interests, including the Board of Governors of the Independent Petroleum Association of America.
Sims began a second career later in life, completing the coursework and experience to earn the designation of Certified Financial Planner®, and this brought him much fulfillment as he helped his clients achieve their financial goals.
Mr. Sims also had a strong commitment to community service throughout his life, serving on several non-profit organization boards, volunteering his time to help senior citizens with money management, and even traveling to the Amazon River Basin to deliver school supplies to isolated Peruvian villages.
Sadly, Earl passed away in November of 2011 at the age of 60, and Pava Sims, his beloved wife of 36 years at the time of his passing, continues to cherish her memories of him and the exemplary life he led. Pava and Earl shared a natural curiosity for other cultures, languages, and customs, and the couple had many adventures while traveling for pleasure to a number of far-flung countries.
Knowing how important Earl’s time at TU was to him, both during his collegiate years and later while excelling in the fields of engineering and financial planning, Mrs. Sims made plans to establish The Earl R. Sims Endowed Scholarship for Chemical Engineering through an estate gift. This generous and much appreciated scholarship fund in Earl’s name will enable new generations of undergraduate students to pursue a quality chemical engineering education at TU. It will also serve as a fitting tribute to the husband Pava Sims so dearly loved over the course of their many years of marriage.
