Rick Simpson

From The Norman Transcript

Richard Loren Simpson, a 1966 graduate of Norman High School, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013. Rick was born Dec. 27, 1947, in Seminole, to Loren and Glenna Sue Simpson.

Rick enjoyed a varied and interesting life. Rick joined the Army immediately after graduating from Norman High and was stationed in Germany where he enjoyed and embraced learning the German language.

After returning to the states, Rick pursued his education, receiving his degree from OU as a respiratory therapist, and later degrees in chemistry and biology, and earned his MBA from the University of Colorado. Rick spent his professional life working in various areas of the medical field and retired from his clinical monitor position in 2011.

Rick’s hobbies and interests were as diverse as his professional life. By his own admission, Rick was a “recovering word-aholic.” He had an immense love for words and languages and an amazing ability to quickly learn and speak a new language.

Rick thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors. He was an expert fly fisherman, and an excellent marksman, often enjoying target practice at the family farm. Gardening was another passion, and Rick proudly graduated from the Master Gardener program in 2012. Rick had a real passion for learning and was constantly reading and studying.

His family and friends will remember him as intelligent, funny, warm, and generous with his time and talents. Most of all, Rick was so excited and looking forward to the birth of his new grandbaby in March.

Rick was preceded in death by his mother, Glenna; his maternal and paternal grandparents; and his wife, Joanne.

Rick is survived by his wife, Susie Conklin-Simpson; his daughter, Jennifer Hall and husband Jon, and son Chris of Stillwater; his daughter, Laura Simpson of Conway, Ark.; his son, Paul Simpson and wife Abby of Gulf Port, Miss.; his dad, Loren Simpson; his brother, Larry Simpson and wife Bonnie, and daughter Laney; his nephew, Alan Simpson and wife Cindy, and children Taylor and Sarah; and his nephew, Scott Simpson and wife Amy, and children Brandon, Alyssa, and Matthew.

The family requests that donations be made in Rick’s name to the Full Circle Life Enrichment Center in Norman.