James Randolph Simpson ’38

Jim Simpson's death while playing tennis in Bay Head, N.J., June 7, 1997, was a shock to his many friends, especially those who had enjoyed his presence the week before at our 59th reunion.

Jim lived life to the fullest, enjoying tennis, fishing, sailing, scuba-diving, skiing, hunting, golf, and especially traveling. We remember his inspirational captaincy of Princeton's swimming team, which not only defeated Yale after their years of dominating the sport, but also won the Eastern Intercollegiate Championship in 1938.

Jim contributed his talents to Princeton and the class. He was class president from 1973- 78, later headed our Distinguished Service Award Committee, and was on his local Schools and Scholarship Committee.

He spent 25 years as international v.p. for W. R. Grace Co., followed by similar work for Occidental Chemical Co. until he retired in 1986. During WWII he earned 16 Battle Stars for his service in the Pacific on the USS Santa Fe.

Jim lost his first wife, Elizabeth, in 1980, to a long illness. He is survived by his second wife, Clarice, as well as his daughters, Mary Anne, Karen Harvey, Nancy Franklin, Elizabeth LaFountain, and Lori Grace, a brother, William, a sister, Elizabeth Hunt, and six grandchildren. He also leaves two stepdaughters, Patrice Wolfe and Maureen O'Hare, two stepsons, John P. O'Hare II and James M. O'Hare, and six step­grandchildrcn. Our class shares with them in sorrow.