Russell William Simpson, 1922 – 2006The Rev. Russell William Simpson, of Longmont, Colo., died Thursday, March 16, 2006, at Timberline Lodge in Longmont. He was 83 years old. Russ was born Dec. 16, 1922, in Cambria, Ill., to Clarence and Helena (Mescher) Simpson. After graduating from Metropolis High School and Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, he attended Westminster Theological Seminary and became an ordained minister in 1949. On June 8, 1945, he married Helen June Gibbs in Cambria, Ill. In 1950, he joined the United States Air Force as a chaplain and rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel. His various duty stations included bases in Japan, Labrador, and the Panama Canal Zone. After retiring from the Air Force in 1970, Mr. Simpson went on to serve for a decade in several United Methodist churches in Virginia, one of which was at Madison, Va. He was especially active in youth organizations and ministries. In retirement, the Simpsons lived in Fayetteville, Ark., until Helen’s death in 2003. Russ then moved to Marshalltown, Iowa, and finally to Longmont, Colo., to be near his grandchildren. Mr. Simpson loved to fly, and obtained his pilot’s license while in the Air Force. He was also an avid reader and speaker, and regularly played racquetball and tennis. In later years, he enjoyed volunteering his time at the Veteran’s Hospital and was a member of the Disabled American Veterans. He will be remembered as a kind and generous man who would go far out of his way to help others. Mr. Simpson is survived by his son, David Simpson and his wife, Linda, of Tulsa, Okla.; his daughter, Martha Rooney and her husband, Kurt, of Longmont, Colo.; a brother, Joe Harvey Simpson of Aurora, Colo.; a sister, JoAnne Rasmussen-Sislow of Naperville, Ill.; and a sister, Jane Mulliken of Indianapolis, Ind. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Catherine Neely of Carson City, Nev.; seven grandchildren, Renee, Natalie, Bryan, Michelle, Christopher, Kyle, and Allison; one great-granddaughter, Miryam, and one great-grandchild on the way. He was preceded in death by his wife Helen of 58 years, his parents, and a sister, June Elliott of Metropolis, Ill. The following thoughts were written about Russell Simpson by his grandson: In life we come across people that we know are special. People that have something inside their heart that makes them truly special. They inspire us to be better. They inspire us to have good intentions in everything that we do. They inspire us to serve other people. Anyone who met Grandpa could see – that was exactly the way he was. And his character brings so many positive words to mind that would all accurately describe him. But his LOYALTY was remarkable. 1) He was loyal to God, and to our country. I asked him once, I said "Grandpa, what was your favorite part about being a preacher in the Air Force"? He said, "I was a chaplain." I said, "OK, Grandpa, what was your favorite part about being a chaplain"? He said that when the men came back from war, some of them weren’t right in the head. They were traumatized from the things that they had seen. He said his favorite part was talking to them about it, and helping them feel better. Trying to help make them right again. I didn’t know what to say. 2) He was loyal to his woman, our Grandma Helen. Through the 58 years they were married to the very last of her days, he stood by her while she was sick, until that day that she passed. And I’m sure he’s by her side right now. 3) He was loyal to his children and to his grandchildren until the day that he passed. I remember how protective of me he was when I was a boy. He would do anything for any of us if we asked him to. He was a man in all of the most respectful ways that you could be a man. And in knowing him all my life, and now trying my best to become a man, I can honestly say: That if I can live to be over 80 years old, and look back on my life and say that I was half the man that my grandpa was. . . I will be happy. — Martha Rooney |