James Robert ("Bob") Simpson Bob was born on January 17th, 1947, passed away peacefully in his home the morning of Wednesday August 16th at the age of 76. He was attended by Amanda, his loving niece. Bob’s life serves as a monument to service, kindness, and sportsmanship.

Bob enlisted in the United States Navy at a young age of 23 and being selected to go through Nuclear Prototype School earning him the rate of ETN (Electrical Technician Nuclear). He served for 6 years aboard the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt (SSBN-600) earning the rank of Petty Officer Second Class. This experience, along with his father’s teachings led Bob into the career that made him a Master Electricianm and High Voltage Splicer. Bob’s business, Industrial Power Splicing, took him all over the West Coast and Canada. Today there are hundreds of hospitals, data centers, airports, colleges and other major installations that would be dark without him.

Bob found his true love of woodworking at an early age watching his dad draft boat plans on the kitchen floor. It wasn’t long before he decided to build his own boat. The magnificent wooden boats he built throughout his career as well as the meticulous cabinetry, kids toys donated to charities, baby cradles and the amazing kitchens he made is a testament of his capability as a Master Wood Worker.

Bob was happily married to his beautiful wife Helen ‘Nadine’ Simpson for 38 years who passed in spring 2020. Bob’s father, Robert L. Simpson, an electrical mentor, passed away in 2013. His Beloved mother Nancy at 93 says “They grew up together” and she greatly grieves his loss, as do his sisters Caroll and Marilyn, and his brother Keith. Bob had a wonderful relationship with many but his grandson and namesake, James Robert ‘Jim’ was close to his heart. He is also survived by Nadine’s children Yvonne and Daniel, and granddaughter Kadie. Bob was a mentor to several young woodworkers and each one grieves his loss of friendship and his knowledge none more than his adopted son Cody Pyle. He brought Cody, his wife Stephanie, son Benjamin and new daughter Debbie ‘Bob’s Princess’ into his life and cherished every moment.

Throughout his entire life, Bob was an avid outdoorsman. He learned to hunt and fly fish at a very young age but fishing was his true passion. Taught by his father, he tied his first fly at the young age of 5. Away from the bustle of cities and people, he would find peace in angling for the big one or just listening to the water trickle past. Perhaps that’s why the following Norman Maclean excerpt resonated with him so much:

“Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world’s great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs.”