(Photo courtesy: Andrew Simpson)
Pearson College UWC mourns the passing of former director Hamish Simpson, a lifelong educator who served as Pearson’s second school director from 1982 to 1986.
Simpson grew up in Victoria and earned History and Math degrees from the University of British Columbia, extending his studies to Princeton and Oxford. He earned his first Headmaster position at just 28 years of age and would spend three and half decades leading schools including his time at Pearson.
His son Andrew describes his father as “someone who loved people, and people tended to reciprocate. He could and would talk to anybody. He was smart and accomplished but carried himself with unusual grace and humility. He was curious, kind, and patient – a gentleman, in the truest sense.”
Simpson maintained his connection to Pearson, serving as a Patron from 1986 to 2024, a title his wife Tricia also held from 1998 to 2024. The couple was also a financial supporter and volunteer for the College.
Hamish Simpson, seated next to then-Prince Charles during his visit to the College in October of 1982. (Photo courtesy: Andrew Simpson)
Hamish retired from education in 2000, and the couple settled on Salt Spring Island, where Hamish leaned into his passion for volunteer work and golf.
Hamish was a husband (Tricia), father (Andrew, Rachel and Sara) and a grandfather of six. Hamish Simpson was 89 years old.