Arthur M. Simpson

Longtime Ventura resident and physician, Arthur McClelland Simpson, 89, passed peacefully at home with family on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, just seven weeks after being diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.

Arthur was born June 23, 1925, in Toledo, Ohio, to Arthur Mason, DDS, and Elcie Irene Hefner Simpson of Hickory, Pennsylvania. He was raised and educated in Ohio. His undergraduate studies were done at Denison University. He was a Cum laude graduate of Ohio State Medical School in 1948, and was a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. He completed his internship in 1949 as part of his Navy training, and worked at Port Hueneme Navy Base in Ventura County. It was during this time Arthur fell in love with Ventura. He returned to Ohio State in l952 to complete his surgical residency with Dr. Zollinger a very prestigious physician.

Dr. Simpson first started practice in Ventura with his Navy friend Dr. John H. Nickel, also a Board Certified Surgeon. He served on the surgical staffs of Ventura County Medical Center, the Ojai Valley Community Hospital, the Santa Paula Memorial Hospital and St. Johns Hospital in Oxnard.

Dr. Simpson was Chief of Staff at Community Memorial Hospital in 1975-1976 and served as surgical coordinator for the Family Practice Residency Program at Ventura County Medical Center from 1976 through 1981, where he remained on the senior teaching staff until 1993. He was a diplomat of the Board of Surgeons and a Fellow of American College of Surgeons.

Arthur, along with his wife Nancy, was a longstanding active member of Community Presbyterian Church, serving as a Deacon (the arm of compassion), with a heart for missions.

Dr. Simpson was a volunteer with World Medical Mission where he utilized his long term surgical skills in a rural setting. He travelled with his wife Nancy and son Matthew to Tenwek Hospital in Kenya, East Africa for six weeks in l990, 1993 and 1996.

Dr. Simpson closed his private surgical practice and retired in December 1995.In his retirement years, he joined the Elks, volunteered at the Salvation Army, started a monthly retired physicians luncheon group, met weekly with a small men’s group for Bible study, attended weekly conferences at Ventura County Medical Center, played golf, traveled with friends and family, and managed and enjoyed his Bass Lake cabin.

On a very basic level, Arthur was a perfect custodian. The root word Lat. custodia denotes custody or guardianship…taking charge. Arthur was a true guardian and steward of the big and the small, and he was remarkably comfortable with both. Arthur never considered a task beneath him. In the larger sense, his caretaking and caregiving defined his professional career as a physician, his love and generosity with his family and friends, as well as his staff, patients and community.

Arthur’s life practice was to make sure things were right and fair, running smoothly. This he accomplished quietly and without fanfare. Arthur was

smart, funny, light of spirit, kind, compassionate, loyal, forgiving, absent of malice, and extraordinarily generous with his time, expertise, and energy.

While burdened by loss, Arthur’s family and friends celebrate his extraordinary life and his enduring gifts to us of his love, wit and generous spirit.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Nancy; sister, Marilyn Brooks of Colorado Springs; son, Matthew Simpson of Portland, Oregon; daughters, Jill Simpson and Dr. Gail Simpson and her husband, Nick Landeros; grandchildren, Blair Guerrero and Blaine Simpson and his wife, Cortney; great-granddaughter, Haileigh Simpson, all of Ventura. He was preceded in death by his former wife and mother of his daughters, Martha Klemm, as well as his sister Katherine Palmer.

A memorial service will be held Friday, January 2, 2015, 11:00 A.M. at Community Presbyterian Church, Ventura, with The Reverend Mark Patterson officiating.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting memorial donations be made to the Salvation Army of Ventura County.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura. Condolences may be left at TedMayrFuneralHome.com.