Timothy Simpson

Timothy Simpson
Lyndonville, VT

Tim Simpson, 62, beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, teacher and friend died at home Monday, March 31, 2003. Tim died in the house he built on the farm on which he was born.

Tim was born on July 22, 1940 to Leland and Zelda Cox Simpson. Tim loved growing up on the farm with his parents, grandparents and brothers and sister. He graduated from Lyndon Institute in 1959, where he was an outstanding athlete, playing football, basketball and track. His senior he won the state meet in half-mile and the Javelin. He graduated from the University of Vermont with a B.S. in 1963 and an M.S. in 1965. Tim competed in cross country, track, and cross country skiing white at UVM and in 1977 was inducted into the UVM Athletic Hall of Fame. In 1968 he graduated from Cornell University with a Ph.D. in Soil Chemistry. After serving two years in the Army at the CRREL, in Hanover, NH Tim returned to Lyndonville to teach at L.I. and live on the family farm he loved dearly.

On September 1, 1962 he married Sara Jackson. They had three children, Tim, Beth, and Susan. One thing that made him especially proud was that he was a father, teacher, and coach to all of them. All three of his children are teachers or coaches themselves.

Tim taught chemistry and physics and coached cross country and track at L.I. for 32 years. He was a well loved teacher, appreciated for his gentle teaching methods and understated wit. He never tired of talking about his love of teaching and the many accomplishments of his students. Twice, Tim took a sabbatical and taught at Hawaii Preparatory Academy on the Big Island of Hawaii. Tim loved the soft winds of Hawaii and returned as often as possible to visit. Tim was a lifelong runner and a familiar figure on the roads and Lyndon Center. His after school runs with L.I. buddies were one of the many joys of his life. In 2001, Tim won the National Master’s Indoor Championship in both the mile (5:15) and 800 meters (2:18).

Tim served the community as school board member and selectman and was an active member of the First Congregational Church of Lyndonville.

Tim Loved the Red Sox, traveling with his family, being with his grandchildren, gardening, painting, beer making, working on the farm with his father and spending every day with Sara.

He is survived by his wife of over 40 years, Sara and their three children Timothy of Lansing, Michigan, Beth and her husband Greg Hahr and their three children Molly, Abigail, and Meghan of Starkboro, VT and Susan and her partner Deborah Lowe of Los Angeles, California, his parents Leland and Zelda Simpson, his brother Wilder and wife Mary, his sister Carolyn all of Lyndon, his brother Gilbert and wife Joanne of Guatemala City, Guatemala and many nieces and nephews.

A reception and calling hours will be held at the Lyndon Institute cafeteria from 7-9 p.m. on Friday April 4th. At 7:30 there will be an opportunity for those who knew Tim to share remembrances and remarks. A memorial service will be held at the First Congregational Church in Lyndonville at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 5th. Contributions in Tim’s memory may be made to the Bob Heath Track Fund at Lyndon Institute, P.O. Box 127, Lyndon Center, VT 05850.

Arrangements by Pearsons Funeral Service, 70 Church Street, Lyndonville, VT. To sign the online register book go to www.pearsonsfuneralservice.com