Humanitarian R. Hunter Simpson died on Dec. 31 of brain cancer. He was 18.
Simpson was the son of Brooks and Anne Simpson, and the grandson of corporate magnate W. Hunter Simpson and Dottie Simpson, who was certified by the Guinness World Records as the oldest woman to experience zero gravity. Although Hunter was born to wealth and privilege, he opted to live a simple and charitable life.
Simpson graduated last June from Bellevue High School in Bellevue, Wash., where he won the Brandy West Award, an honor given annually to a student who exemplifies character and leadership. While he participated in the wrestling and lacrosse teams, Simpson still found the time to prepare and give away hot meals for the homeless. During summers, he built homes for the poor in Tijuana, Mexico.
When he was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2005, The Make-a-Wish Foundation offered Simpson a final wish. Instead of choosing something for himself, however, he gave the wish to New Horizons Ministries, a nonprofit, interdenominational Christian ministry that serves Seattle’s street youth. His wish provided the organization with furniture and clothing.
In the last months of his life, Simpson attended Trinity Western University in Langley, British Columbia. He saved up his meal-plan money by subsisting on two cups of soup a day. Last month, he used the remaining credits on the plan to purchase $900 worth of food from the school cafeteria — which he then gave to homeless children in Seattle.
January 7, 2006 by
R. Hunter Simpson
Categories: Extraordinary People
What an INCREDIBLE young man; and an amazingly beautiful soul.
How terrible to die so young….He’ll be remembered
What a beautiful young man. We should all have more of his qualities.
Hunter, WE WONT FORGET YOU!!
wow he seems like a very compationate young man.. i used to know him x girlfriend’s family
Faith, open mind, warm heart, sense of humor, humble, honest, spirtual, kind, one in 100 million.
I loved him. He was caring,compationate, inspirational, yet very humble.
I know that God took him home to bring people closer to the lord, but I still miss him, alot.
Hunter was my best friend for a year in elementary school. I haven’t seen him in many years, but knowing he doesnt still live in the same place is hard to accept. He was a funloving, geniune friend that I will never forget.
Hunter was selfless, loving, caring, hilarious, talented, giving, humble, and an amazing friend. I miss him terribly but I know he is now without suffering with the Lord and I will see him again someday. I miss you!
Hunter lived in my dorm at Trinity. I remember having good times with him playing Xbox and joking around like none other. He sang “Happy Birthday” for me. He was a good guy…and he never did tell me about his condition…when he died, it was a shock to me.
Hunter, we miss you…and your love will never be forgotten. Your ideals and actions will last for years to come. Oh yeah and say hi to God for me!
Hunter was one of the most amazing people I have ever met. We were close friends threw middle school and the first few years of high school, I moved, we lost touch, but I did get to see him on graduation day. I will never forget how weak he looked but how high his spirits were. Hunter loved the lord with all his heart and he left an imprint on so many before he left us. I only hope we can all be as happy as he was and make changes the way he did. I miss you and never will forget you!
It’s that time of year again, and you’re on my mind. Thanks for having such a great effect on who I am as a person. You make me respect life and make me appreciate it. You have a beautiful soul and I’ll always remember that last night. You’re incredible. Hope you’re having fun (up?) there.
He taught me a lot, about what it means to be Christian, what it means to serve others, what it means to be selfless… I don’t want to forget that ever. He even taught me in death, I’ll never forget the dream where he visited me one last time. We miss you still Hunter, and I wish I could’ve gotten to talk to you about scripture more.