Obituary | Simpson a young man with an old, giving soul

During his first and only semester in college, R. Hunter Simpson spent his meal-plan money on soup. For lunch and dinner, throughout the semester, Hunter ate soup.

And not a bowl of soup either, but a cup — because at $1.50, it was cheaper.

When the semester ended last month, he used the credit remaining on the plan to "clean out" the cafeteria at Trinity Western University in Langley, B.C., buying $900 worth of chips, juice and water that he delivered to homeless children in Seattle. That was Hunter Simpson's life: simple, giving and short.

Diagnosed with brain cancer a year ago, Mr. Simpson died Dec. 31. He was 18.

"A lot of people wait until they grow up to do what they feel they need to," said his mother, Anne Simpson. "Hunter started when he was 13. In their lifetime, some people are blessed with a spiritual gift. There's no other way to explain it."

Those who knew Mr. Simpson describe an old soul driven by his Christian faith, who packed more generosity into his life than do many twice his age.

A 2005 graduate of Bellevue High School, the Medina teen was involved in sailing, wrestling and lacrosse. Last year, he was the recipient of Bellevue High's inspirational Brandy West Award, given each year to a student who exemplifies character and leadership.

But at the center of Mr. Simpson's life was his Christian faith. "He never wavered," she said. "He always tried to practice what he preached. He led quietly; he wasn't loud or flashy. And he was incredibly frugal."

The grandson of corporate magnate W. Hunter Simpson and his wife, Dottie, of Mercer Island, he had access to tremendous family wealth yet lived his life simply, his friends and family say.

His mother remembers that she'd cross out the price of items she bought for him at Fred Meyer because he never wanted her spending too much money on him. "He always said, 'I only take what I need,' " she said.

His girlfriend, Gwendolyn Rowland, said, "He never wanted to be called a rich kid; he was really sensitive about that.

"He wanted to earn all he had. He refused to take favors from anyone. And at a time when he should have really taken a break, he didn't."

Mr. Simpson and his friends spent many Saturdays handing out hot meals to the homeless around Pioneer Square. He spent summers in Tijuana, Mexico, helping to build homes for the poor.

His mother said there were simply not enough years in his life to do the one thing he'd always wanted to do — travel the world helping people, "doing what he believed he was meant to do."

Last year, Mr. Simpson was invited by the Make-A-Wish Foundation to have a wish realized. Instead, he re-gifted his award, using it to benefit New Horizons Ministries.

His gift allowed the downtown Seattle organization to receive clothing and furniture for the 1,500 or so homeless children it serves each year.

Rita Nussli, executive director of New Horizons, said Mr. Simpson came into the center on the weekend before Christmas to deliver the first couch.

"He was an amazing young man, and incredible young man with a heart for social justice for the poor and oppressed," she said.

Rowland, who attended the University of British Columbia, said she and Mr. Simpson talked often about his future.

"He was in religious studies but he wasn't sure if he'd be able to keep up, intellectually," she said. "We expected him to get better. We didn't talk about death. It didn't seem as close as it was."

Mr. Simpson is survived by his parents, Anne and Brooks Simpson; sister Hailey, brother Blake and his grandparents, Phyllis Raube of Grand Rapids, Mich., and the Simpsons of Mercer Island.

Services are scheduled for 4 p.m. today at the First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue.

Lornet Turnbull: 206-464-2420 or lturnbull@seattletimes.com