Sep 21, 2015 1 min read

Associated Press

RESTON, Va. – Robert E. Simon Jr., who lent his initials to the northern Virginia community he founded more than 50 years ago, died. He was 101.

The Reston Association reported Simon died Monday in his home.

Simon bought nearly 6,800 undeveloped acres in Fairfax County in 1961 with proceeds from the sale of Carnegie Hall. Reston, Va., which now has a population exceeding 58,000, was at the forefront of the movement toward planned communities.

Simon lived in Reston and remained active in the community even after his 100th birthday.