I was deeply saddened to hear the news of Dee’s passing. As a freshman going through “Rush”, one of the reasons I hoped to pledge Beta was the presence of Dee Simpson. He was a very impressive guy and one who made you feel really wanted in the fraternity. I remember playing intra-mural football with him in those very exciting games! He was the kind of person who was always ready to help you, to lend a helping hand no matter what the circumstances.
I well remember when he and Pat broke up (and she began dating Jim Young) and how upset and sad Dee seemed to be. I always hoped that they would work things out and get back together, and, thankfully, that’s exactly what happened. Dee’s story is a real success story for students who struggle to get through college. As you know, Hank Anderson’s family helped Dee get started at OWU, and although he was almost constantly in debt, he made it through and got his degree! Then, he really took off in the business world and became a marvelous success. So much so, and you know this I’m sure, that he and Pat made a sizeable gift to OWU a few years ago.
It was a real privilege for all of us to know and love Dee … our lives have all been enriched in ever so many ways because of our friendship with him. More later. “Deacon” Dan Rich ’55 P.S. And thanks so much again for planning the 2002 Beta Reunion in Oxford which gave us the chance to see Dee again after almost 50 years! … Yes, it was very sad news about Dee.
He had quite a struggle. What a great guy he was, and we’ll miss him.
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