Dr. Victor “Vic” Hugo Sims, Jr. had two great loves in his life. The love for his family and his passion for teaching. The retired criminology professor at Southern Oregon University passed away peacefully among family in his Portland home early last Friday.

Dr. Sims left a legacy of a passion for life and the belief that one person can make a difference in the world. He is survived by his wife Glenda and three children.

“Vic was a very special man and it’s going to be hard without him,” said Glenda Sims, his wife of 41 years. “His was a valuable life that was cut short.”

Dr. Sims was born June 23, 1943 in Pascagoula, Miss. to Victor and Inez Sims. He began his career as a military policeman in the army after graduating from the University of Mississippi and earning a bachelor’s degree in anthropology.

“He was always interested in policing,” said Glenda Sims. After his time in the Army he and his wife moved to Berkeley, Calif., where he worked as a police officer.

“It was a time of dissidence in the United States. Berkeley was a volatile place to be at the time.”

The late Dr. Sims worked as a police officer all over the country, from Phoenix, Arizona to being a police chief in Nome, Alaska. After working in the field for a number of years, he decided to teach. He began his professional teaching career at Stephen F. Austin University in 1976 and then worked as a full professor at Lamar University before going back to school to earn his Ph.D. at the University of Southern Mississippi.

“He loved education,” said Glenda Sims. “He always mentored and advised large numbers of students. Students tended really to respect him, he was always available for students, and his door was always open.”

Dr. Sims brought his dedication to teaching and his philosophy of working hard to SOU, often being the first to arrive for work and the last to leave.

“He always went in before eight every morning and didn’t leave till five-thirty or six,” said Glenda Sims. She explained that he really cared about all of his students and would give them his home and cell number in case they needed his help on the weekend.

His wife said Dr. Sims was adventurous and took up many hobbies such as sailing, motorcycling, and being a commercial pilot and flight instructor. She said he loved traveling and was proud of the fact that he circled the world twice. In 2000-01 he took his sabbatical doing research at the University of South Africa.

“He really believed in traveling,” said Glenda Sims. “He believed that traveling gave a well-rounded perspective and made people compassionate.”

Dr. Sims was extremely proud of his children, especially of the fact they were all university educated and have successful careers. He loved spending time with his family and his four-year-old grandson.

“This man, who always wore a sport coat and dress shirt to work, was always willing to get down on the floor with his grandson when he wanted to play ‘Batman’ and would play ‘Robin,’” said Glenda Sims.

“He was really good man; he was very well respected. He will definitely be missed.”

Glenda Sims said her husband requested that instead of sending flowers that people donate a book to the library, read to a child, and spend time with their family.