August 17, 1933 - September 27, 2022
The memorial service for Dr. Robert L. Simpson, 89 year-old Enid resident will be 1PM Saturday, November 5, 2022 in the University Place Christian Church. Reverends Gordan Eppes and Jim Edmison will officiate. Cremation services are under the direction of Henninger-Hinson Funeral Home.
Robert was born August 17, 1933 to W.R. and Lucy Turpin Simpson in Henryetta, OK and passed away on September 27, 2022 at the Commons Nursing Home after a lengthy illness.
Bob grew up in Poplar Bluff, MO, graduating from Poplar Bluff High School in 1951. In 1955, he received his Bachelor of Arts in Bible from Phillips University, where he was a member of the Varsity Social Service Club and served as student body president. He completed his Bachelor of Divinity at Phillips Seminary in 1958. He was awarded his M.A. in 1961 and PH.D. in theology in 1962, both from the University of Chicago Divinity School.
On June 3, 1955, Bob married his high school sweetheart, Beatrice Campbell, They had one daughter, Megan Lee, and one granddaughter, Avery Campbell Simpson.
Dr. Simpson became Assistant Professor of Religion and Philosophy at Phillips University in 1962 and taught there for 35 years. He loved teaching and preaching. He taught not only religion and philosophy but courses in science fiction, English literature, and Russian literature. He joined with other faculty members to teach interdisciplinary courses in medieval and Byzantine history, art, religion and culture. He served as Division chair for the Division of History, Religion and Philosophy for several years, and was director of Phillips University’s Swedish program for two semesters. He was Vice President for Academic affairs in the PU-Japan program from 1990-1995. “Dr. Bob” also received the Clifford Shirley Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1998. He is the author of one book, The Interpretation of the Lord’s Prayer in the Early Church, as well as a contributor to other books and scholarly journals. He retired in 1998 as a Professor Emeritus of Religion and Philosophy.
Bob was ordained to the Christian ministry in August of 1955 and served churches in Kansas and Oklahoma. He was an active member and elder emeritus at University Place Christian Church. He also served on the boards of the Enid-Phillips Symphony and Enid Gaslight Theatre and was a founding member of the Meadows Point Apartments, serving one term as chair. Bob was also chairman of the Republican Party in Garfield County from 1968-1972. He was nominated by Senator Henry Bellmon to a position on the advisory Commission on Accreditation and Eligibility to the UJ.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, where he served from 1972-1975.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Beatrice; his parents; and brother, Walter. He is survived by daughter, Megan; granddaughter, Avery, of Apex, NC; brother, John of Houston, TX; adopted son, Masaru Shiga and adopted grandson, Takashi Shiga, both of Kobe, Japan, and several nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made through Henninger-Hinson Funeral Home to Simpson Family Permanent Fund for University Place Christian Church.
Obituaries are posted, in part, due to the generosity of The Commons.
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