Page created by: Renee Tahja

Richard Dean Simpson was born on January 27, 1935 in Portis, Kansas to John Franklin Simpson and Eleanor Isabell [Neeper] Simpson. He passed away on March 6, 2017 in Laramie, Wyoming. He grew up on a farm near Portis during the Dust Bowl Era where his favorite pastimes were riding his bike as well as playing with his faithful dog Brownie, a nanny goat, and numerous pet crows. His mother liked to say that Brownie raised him and whenever she could not find Richard, she would call Brownie and then look in the direction his tail was pointing. She was not as fond of Richard's string of pet crows that kept stealing her clothespins. Several of the crows disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Richard's parents taught him to be industrious and resourceful, qualities that served him well throughout his life.
Richard was a member of the Methodist church from when he was seven days old and had the certificate to prove it. He attended Twelve Mile School, Barefoot Nation School, and Portis High School. He earned an elementary teacher certificate at Fort Hays Kansas State College and taught elementary school in Downs, Kansas for a year before finishing his Bachelor of Arts degree in English at Hays. While at Hays, Richard met Eleanor [Burg] Lawton at a Methodist student activity and they dated for three months before marrying on May 29, 1957 in the Methodist church. In one day, Richard received his Bachelor degree, got married, and adopted Eleanor's daughter, Lorraine. In 1963, he completed a Master of Arts degree from Colorado State College. Richard and Eleanor raised their family in Wamego, Kansas for a number of years, where he started the art program and taught for 31 years. Richard was an award-winning art teacher at Wamego High School until his retirement. He taught his students about life as well as art, telling them that obstacles are simply opportunities to learn something. He and an art class once drew over fifty doves before they learned that the head had to be tilted up or the birds would look dead. Richard taught school for a total of 41 years.
Richard was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2000. He was a fighter and faced this disease with courage and determination. He struggled and over came so many challenges related to Parkinson's Disease in the past 17 years. It was a good fight, but ultimately Parkinson's Disease took over, taking one more precious life. It was Richard's wish to donate to Parkinson's research. Richard was deeply rooted in his faith and through teaching, volunteering and active participation in many ministries he touched the lives of so many people. He will be dearly missed.
Richard is preceded in death by his parents and grandparents, half-brother Elmo Aldridge, daughter-in-law Sherri Simpson, grandson Caleb Robinson, and great-grandson Jackson Forsythe.
He is survived by his wife Eleanor of the home, three children: Daughter Lorraine Van Zee and husband Calvin of Laramie, Wyoming; daughter Teri Robinson and husband James of Coffeyville, Kansas; son Gery Simpson of Laramie; six grandchildren: Abby Howe and husband Brian, Sara Forsythe and husband Joshua, Renee Tahja and husband Lee, Luke Robinson and wife Christine, Benjamin Robinson, and Lucinda Van Zee; and four great-grandsons: Tayte and Levi Tahja, Eli Forsythe, and Rayland Callahan.

Services will be held at Spring Winds in Laramie, Wyoming on Friday March, 10th at 2pm