Donald F. Simpson

Donald F. Simpson, 96, former Assistant Secretary at the Department of Health Education and Welfare from 1966 to 1969, died September 22, 2014 at Brandermill Woods Healthcare Center in Midlothian, VA of congestive heart failure.

Mr. Simpson was born in Walla Walla, Washington and grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was a graduate of Kalamazoo College and attended graduate school at Columbia University and the University of Illinois. He moved to the Virginia suburbs of Washington D.C. in 1942 where he began his career in public service. Mr. Simpson spent most of his career as an executive officer at the United States Public Health Service, though he also worked at the Pan American Health Organization’s Regional Office of the World Health Organization from 1956 to 1961. Upon his retirement, Mr. Simpson relocated to the Brandermill Woods retirement community near Richmond, VA in 2000.

During his years at the Brandermill Woods Retirement Community, Mr. Simpson was instrumental in helping to establish the Lifelong Learning Institute in Chesterfield County, VA. Mr. Simpson was also an active volunteer at National Association of Retired Federal Employees and was sometimes active in Virginia politics.

Mr. Simpson, widower of Dorothy H. Simpson, is survived by his three children Donna J. Browning, Robert J. Simpson, and Joanne C. Simpson; his five granddaughters, Deborah Lesher, Laura Browning, Jessica Martinez, Renee Jacob, and Corinne Jacob; his eight great-grandchildren; and his two great-great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends at National Funeral Home, 7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA on September 29 at 10:30 a.m., and at a celebration of life service at 14311 Brandermill Woods Trail, Midlothian, VA 23112 on September 30 at 4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Milton Simpson Memorial Scholarship Fund at Kalamazoo College. Please call 269 337 7236 to make a donation.