David E. Simpson

Simpson, David E.
David Earl Simpson died peacefully at Hospice of the Valley on June 14, 2015. He was surrounded by his loving wife, Katie, his devoted son, Jacob and his grandson, 4 year old Jacob, Jr. He was born November 25, 1942, the second son of Harry Emerson Simpson and Florence Pearl (Keyes) Simpson. He was raised in Clackamas, Oregon and graduated from Clackamas High School. In 1965 he graduated from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, majoring in Philosophy.
In March of 1965, he participated in the Civil Rights March from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. This experience had an important impact on Mr. Simpson's commitment to diversity and interracial relationships throughout his career.
In the fall of 1965, he began studies at Yale University Divinity School (YDS) in New Haven, CT, graduating in 1968. Mr. Simpson was ordained as a minister of the United Church of Christ in 1970 at the First Congregational Church of Danbury, CT.
Mr. Simpson met Judith Meinke at Pacific University and they married in 1966. They lived at the YDS married students housing in New Haven and spent weekends and summers working together under the auspices of the Danbury Connecticut Council of Churches as coordinators of programs for children and youth from low income families. He attended an intensive seminar at the Urban Center for Christian Mission sponsored by the Industrial Areas Foundation in Chicago, Illinois in the summer of 1969. After moving permanently to Danbury, the couple had two children: Timothy David (1969) and Sarah Joy (1971).
The Interfaith Social Action Corporation (ISAC) was formed as a result of Mr. Simpson's work as a community organizer and urban ministry in Danbury. He was the executive director for seven years. ISAC engaged members of local churches and synagogues in the social justice issues of the community. Several currently active agencies were the outgrowth of this work, including: The Interfaith Day Care Center, The Beaver Street Cooperative Housing Development, and the Association of Religious Communities (ARC). Mr. Simpson was the director of ARC from 1973 – 1981. The family moved from Danbury to Bridgewater, CT in 1976, into a home built in large part by Mr. Simpson himself.
Switching gears, Mr. Simpson was hired by the National Council of Churches in New York, New York as director of Christian Jewish relations from 1981 – 1985. This experience reinforced his awareness of the horrors of the Holocaust and furthered his commitment to working against oppression and intolerance.
After the couple divorced, Mr. Simpson married Kathleen (Katie) Flanagan. They (adopted) two children: Jacob Warren Simpson (1986) and Matthew Emerson Simpson (1985). On August 4, 2015, they would have been married 30 years. He almost made it and, during the last year of his life, both frequently called each other "my beloved." He also enjoyed a very close relationship with his son, Jacob, who was the only child living nearby. He was devoted to his four grandchildren: Noah and Anna Parks and Persia and Jacob Simpson, Jr. Jacob Jr. loved his grandfather so much and called him "pawpaw."
At the very beginning of his marriage to Katie, Mr. Simpson pursued a long held desire to serve as a parish minister. He was hired as Associate Interim Pastor at the First Congregational Church of New Milford in 1985 and then as Pastor of the New Preston Congregational Church from 1986-1996. He and his family participated in a Habitat for Humanity assignment in Trinidad and Bolivia during 1996. Mr. Simpson was called to be an Interim Minister in New Britain, Bethlehem and Bridgeport. He held an Interim position in Flagstaff, Arizona in 2005 as his last assignment before retirement.
He was a skilled carpenter and engaged in many visionary building and renovation projects throughout his life. He designed and built a gambrel roofed barn house in Bridgewater, CT and another house that was that was fashioned after a late 1770's style. Upon moving to Goodyear, Arizona, Mr. Simpson designed and built a home in the Old Santa Fe style.
During his two and a half years in Flagstaff, AZ, Mr. Simpson took advantage of the wonderful hiking opportunities around the Grand Canyon, and in the Estrella and White Tank mountains. He was known for gardening and growing many cacti. He loved to cook and insisted on making the evening meal every night for his family, even if it took until midnight. He enjoyed vacationing on Block Island, Rhode Island, a place he held close to his heart.
He was preceded in death by his son Timothy David Simpson, his sister Patricia Ann McKinney, and his brother James Warren Simpson.
He is survived by his wife Kathleen Simpson, Matthew Simpson, Jacob Simpson, Sarah Parks and her husband Harold, a niece Jessica Simpson and his four incredible grandchildren.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at the New Preston CT Congregational Church on October 3, 2015 at 11:00 AM.
Please send charitable contributions to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org.