Peter John Simpson, 62, of Fairbanks, a big man with a giant legend, died on July 24, 2011, from complications from a fall suffered earlier in the month.
Pete was a father, brother, partner, friend, forester, sportsman and veteran, known to all for his skills outdoors and for his loud enthusiasm for life. His yodel and the sound of his chain saw signaled time to get the bonfire lit and the party started. Wherever Pete went and whenever he arrived it was time to shake out the cobwebs and break bread with friends.
A great skier, he built his home on top of Moose Mountain to enjoy quick access to the slopes. A devoted father, he cheered on his children as they have grown into busy and happy young adults. A retired forester for the State of Alaska, he spent every summer fighting fires protecting the wild places of Alaska and Lower 48. In June he worked as safety officer on the fires close to Fairbanks.
Pete kept busy building, hunting, fishing, skiing, golfing, managing the forest, as well as making time for family and friends. He always had a dozen projects going, and as all recall, he had to do each one the Simpson way. But progress never stopped and each job showed the skill of a creative and hardworking mind. He was an inspiration to everyone he met and challenged us all to keep up.
Pete was born Dec. 27, 1948, to Victor and Barbara Simpson in Arcata, Calif. He grew up around Clear Creek and Westwood, Calif. He graduated from Humboldt State College in 1970 with a degree in forestry management.
After graduation Uncle Sam needed his services. He spent two years in Germany teaching soldiers to ski at the Armed Forces Recreation Center facility in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Pete’s service to his country fostered friendships that strengthened over the years. Today, Peter’s AFRC family reaches around the world. The list of lives touched by Peter is nearly as big as the man and his heart.
Known as “BIG” Pete, he attended most of the 37 AFRC reunions at ski areas all over North America, most recently at Tahoe last March. Pete Simpson made every AFRC gathering special. He will be forever loved and missed!
Upon returning from Germany in 1976 Pete worked briefly for ABC Television at the Montreal Summer Olympics. Afterward, he traveled “Simpson” style from Montreal to Minnesota via his bike and the bus. Once there, he joined up with good friends from Garmisch-Partenkirchen then continued West ending up in the Jackson Hole, Wyo. and Driggs, Idaho areas.
In the Tetons, Pete filled his days skiing, teaching skiing, hiking, dancing, teaching dancing, playing basketball and fly fishing. Being true to his nature Pete took as big a bite out of every day as he possibly could. If you look in the dictionary under “embracing life” you will see Pete’s name.
About 1979, Pete moved to Alaska to live and work full time. Although Pete’s full time home remained in Alaska he maintained the many bonds with friends he made in the Tetons, with journeys through Driggs and Jackson Hole on his way to the annual AFRC reunions.
He first made his way to Alaska around 1975 and worked seasonally as a forest warden in 1976 following in his father’s forestry footsteps. After moving to Alaska, in 1979 he helped the State Division of Forestry establish a wildland fire program. He was responsible for hiring, training, and supervising firefighters throughout the state. Pete’s efforts laid the foundation for the fire program for years to come. He then became the stewardship forester assisting land owners with recommendations for forest improvement and land enhancement.
He belonged to the Society of American Foresters, Yukon River Chapter. He helped establish the borough’s Heritage Park, promoted Arbor Day, was active in the Community Forest Council, promoting Outdoor Days and the Homer Demonstration Forest. Just for fun, Pete participated in annual forestry contests and consistently won the two-man cross cut competition with long-time friend, Pete Buist. In the 2006 contests, Pete was proclaimed, “Bull of the Woods.”
Formerly married, he was the loving father of two children in Fairbanks. He was able to see his son graduate with a civil engineering degree this spring and his daughter is finishing a degree in anthropology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Taking early retirement from Forestry in 1999, Pete spent this last decade enjoying all the best Alaska and the warmer climates had to offer with the love of his life, DeeDee. He built his house, taught skiers at Moose Mountain, carved hunting and skiing trails and was a successful archer for moose. He had visions for a cabin on his California property — the first step was building a deck with family just last month. He was proud of having attended several Olympics, most recently working at the Salt Lake games in 2002. Generous, stubborn, raucous, adventurous, demanding and thunderous, that was his way. Being Pete’s friend was a challenge but one that we are the better for having known him. A huge hole is left in our hearts but the memories will live on so long as tales are told by the fireside.
Peter Simpson is survived by his partner DeeDee Dalen, children Aaron and Morgan Simpson, sisters Judy (and husband Ernie) and Nancy and Cathy of Oregon, cousins and second cousins, nephews and nieces and their children who all felt his love and exuberant spirit. He was known to many and friend to all he met.
A celebration of life and potluck will be at Moose Mountain Day Lodge at 4 p.m., Sunday Aug. 7. Friends and family are asked to bring food or drink to share, wood for a commemorative bonfire and a story.