INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group on Monday announced the death of president and CEO David Simon. Simon passed away on Sunday after a battle with cancer. He was 64. “Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother poured his heart and soul into buildi ng Simon Property Group,” the Simon family said in a statement. “He was most proud of his family, his wife of over 40 years, Jackie, and their five children: Eli, Rebecca, Hannah, Sam, and Noah, and 7 grandchildren. We ask for privacy as we grieve our great loss.” The Simon Property Group board of directors appointed Eli Simon as the new CEO and president, effective immediately. Simon will continue in his roles as chief operating officer and director. Additionally, the board appointed Larry Glasscock to serve as non-executive chairman. David Simon was a graduate of the Indiana University Kelley School of Business and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business. Before joining the family enterprise, Simon worked as an investment banker specializing in mergers and acquisitions. Named CEO of Simon Property Group in 1995 at the age of 33, David Simon became one of the youngest CEOs of a major publicly traded company in America. Today, he is credited with building Simon Property Group into the largest retail real estate company in the world. At the time of his passing, Simon Property Group owned or held interests in more than 250 properties comprising over 200 million square feet across North America, Europe, and Asia. Herb Simon and Pacers Sports Entertainment issued the following statement on the passing of David Simon: “My family and I are deeply saddened by my nephew David’s passing. I was proud to see him grow into an exceptional and transformative leader whose vision, dedication and discipline helped shape Simon Property Group into the world’s leading retail real estate company. His impact on our family, our community and the real estate industry will be felt for generations to come. We will miss him greatly.” The Simon family will release details regarding memorial services at a later date. ...read more read less