Memorial~Lewis H. Simpson II/Inventor/Author~Beloved Father/Grandfather & Uncle

Lewis H. Simpson II

Tonight is a memorial program for our beloved Lewis Harold Simpson II. He was a self-published author of the book One Inventor's Autobiography and inventor from Springfield, Mass. He had five older sisters, Madelyn (Mimi), Mildred, Shirley, Doris and Gertrude (Bettye). He had one younger brother Charles (Chick) who was my father. He grew up on Melrose Street 'The Block' in Springfield, Mass. He  overcame polio and illness in childhood, growing up during The Great Depression and WWII, meeting his beloved wife of 56 years Kathryn Flynn when they both worked at The Diamond Match Company and he traveled across the USA during the depression and had many unusual experiences. On December 28, 1949 their first son Lewis III was born. They were then to have another son Wayne Simpson born on September 3rd, 1953. He delivered his son Wayne Simpson himself after the doctor sent Kathy home for false labor pains. (Wayne died in his 40s due to his epilepsy.)  He eventually became a highly skilled machinist. He worked for the US Navy on historic Mare Island near San Francisco, California. Lewis and Kathy were lifelong seekers who sought out and thought a lot about spirituality and what it meant to them. He and his wife Kathryn lived in Vallejo many years until she passed 11 years ago and then his recent passing. He is a beloved father, grandfather and my uncle. Tonight his family gathers from all parts of the country to share their feelings and memories about this great man. Joining us will be his son Lewis Simpson III, his wife Marian. His grandson Chris Simpson and his wife Tracy, and his grand daughter Mary Kathryn Simpson.