RESTON, Va. (AP) - Robert E. Simon Jr., who lent his initials to the northern Virginia community he founded more than 50 years ago, has died. He was 101.
The Reston Association reported Simon died Monday in his home. A cause of death was not given.
Simon, who ran his family's real estate business in New York, bought nearly 6,800 undeveloped acres in Fairfax County in 1961 with proceeds from the sale of Carnegie Hall.
Reston, Virginia, which now has a population exceeding 58,000, was at the forefront of the movement toward planned communities, with an emphasis in Reston on preservation of open spaces, and development that allowed residents to live and work in the same community.
Simon lived in Reston and remained active in the community even after his 100th birthday.
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