David A. Simpkins

I was shocked to hear if Daves death. He was so full of life. I have not been a part of his life for over 22 years, but I was his Annie in his newspaper editorial for a couple of years and he was very special to me then. God Bless his grandchildren and children and always know he was a force in life and a role model for all of you.

Dave was an energizer bunny of enthusiasm for the Stearns County parks and trails system. Besides reporting the news he helped create the news as a park commissioner and tireless trail advocate. May Dave enjoy the peace of eternal life with Christ. Thank you Lord for the gift he has been to us all.

Dave regularly sent me encouraging e-mails and helped me tell the story of Albert Belz, a young Sauk Centre soldier who died from the flu 100 years ago. With Daves help, Belz became chapter 2 in my new book Minnesota 1918. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of this charismatic, big-hearted storyteller.

Mike & family, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Mike, it's been a very long time -- but you might remember me as a TRAM buddy in the days of Team Harvey (it feels like a lifetime ago)! Harvey stumbled upon your Dad's obituary, and passed it along to me. We send to you our deepest condolences. Your father was an amazingly kind man.

Linda, Eric and Michael we are so sad to hear about Dave. We haven't been in contact for some time but we have many great memories being in Elbow Lake together. Dave was always full of ideas and sounds like he accomplished many of them. I remember our families going to the headwaters of the Mississipp and jumping over the river. Keep all your memories close to your heart and your Dad will always be there. Love you all,
Dave and Bev

Linda -
What a shock! So sorry for your loss. Dave was one of a kind. He was so helpful to the late Jerry Barker and myself as we tried to research family history. The Olson family has lost a great genealogist and a dedicated, honest and true gentleman--sort of a family Patriarch. He will be deeply missed.

Dave's death shocked me to the core. To me, he was the epitome of Minnesota with his love of community, nature, and life, his great curiosity, and Scandinavian heritage. His work on Sinclair Lewis is important, and deserves to be finished and published. A great friend, a man of peace, generous and kind--a real Mensch!

Dear Linda, I was shocked and saddened to learn of Dave's death via your FB message. I am so sorry for your loss. I will miss Dave's indomitable spirit. My sincere condolences. I'm out of state until mid March. I hope to see you when I return.

Linda and family, sending you love from Boise. I will always be glad to have known and worked with Dave. Although we hadn't talked in more than 10 years, I can hear his laugh, and recall his enthusiasm for new ideas, for people, for open space and this beautiful world we share. I am honored to have played a small part in helping Dave realize his wish to bring stories of people and trails to so many people through MN Trails magazine. Sending love and prayers.