Robert W. Simpson

Robert W. Simpson, age 94 Years, of Hillsborough, NJ, died Monday, December 25, 2023, at Bridgeway Care Center, Hillsborough, NJ.

Born in Providence, RI, December 28, 1928, he was the son of the late Thomas and Ethel (Purrucker) Simpson. He and his late wife Glenna had resided in Hillsborough Township since 1968. He was a graduate of Univ. of Rhode Island (BS), Brown University (MSc) and in 1958 he completed his Ph.D in Microbiology and Virology at Rutgers University.

A United States Army Veteran, Robert initially worked as a research virologist at Public Health Research Institute in NYC. He returned to Rutgers in 1968 as Professor and Director of the Virology Group at Waksman Institute of Microbiology, where he pursued virus research and advised numerous graduate-level students. He was a member of the NJ State Commission on Cancer Research, and served as a scientific reviewer for various NIH Study sections.

In addition to his academic positions, Bob was an active volunteer in the community, serving with the Hillsborough Rescue Squad (member and crew chief), American Red Cross as a First Aid/CPR instructor and Board Member, Hillsborough Environmental Commission (member and chairman), first president of Friends of Hillsborough, and a Consistory member at Neshanic Reformed Church.

Bob shared his varied interests in music, nature, animals, art and most of all, his love of learning, with his family and friends. He was an accomplished pianist and loved attending concerts. He tackled many home improvement projects, acquiring new skills and creating a beautiful landscape filled with an amazing variety of trees that surrounded the swimming pool he personally built for his family. He and Glenna enjoyed hosting gatherings with friends, family and his former students. In honor of their 50th wedding anniversary, he arranged a family reunion trip to Harwich, MA on Cape Cod, where he and Glenna first met, creating cherished memories for his family.

Bob was happily married to his wife, Glenna Ann for 63 years until her death in 2017. He was pre-deceased by his sister, Winifred Jager. Surviving are his four children, Sandra Simpson and husband Ken Misiak of Hillsborough, NJ, Wendy Marton and husband Jacques of South Burlington, VT, Peter Simpson and wife Connie of Oscoda, MI and Geoffrey Simpson and his wife Vickie of Perkasie, PA, and six beloved grandchildren, Claire, Hannah, Andrew, Michael, Matthew and Emily. He is also survived by a brother, David of Pawtucket, RI.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date and time under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions in Robert’s name may be made to Raptor Trust, 1390 White Bridge Road, Millington, NJ 07946 or Rutgers Cancer Institute of NJ, 195 Little Albany Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 ( www.cinj.org ).

For further information or to send an online condolence, please visit his Tribute Wall at www.holcombefisher.com.