Roll Call Tribute

Published in The Bryan-College Station Eagle on April 30, 2013

H Frank Simpson
December 11, 1963 - April 27, 2013

H Frank Simpson went to be with his Lord and Savior on April 27, 2013. He passed away suddenly on Saturday from a heart attack while working in the yard. He was 49.

Frank was a loving and devoted husband and father, a loyal public servant, and a blessing to everyone he knew. Frank was born in Texas City, Texas, on December 11, 1963. He graduated from Texas City High School and then attended Texas A&M University where he received his bachelor's degree in political science in 1989 and his master's in public administration in 1990. Frank began his career in municipal government while still at A&M where he worked in the utilities department for the City of College Station. He held various positions for the City of College Station from 1989-1993.

As is common in public administration, Frank served a number of municipalities over the years, making positive contributions to the community everywhere he went. He served as Assistant City Manager of LaMarque, Texas, from 1994 to 1995, City Manager of Center, Texas, from 1995-2001; City Manager of Webster, a suburb of Houston from 2001-2004; and then as City Manager of Missouri City, another suburb in the Houston area, from 2004-2011. Frank and his wife, Kelly, always wanted to return to College Station and got the opportunity to do so in 2011. He served as Deputy City Manager for two years before being named City Manager in March after serving in an interim capacity since January. Frank was also active in the Texas City Management Association and was appointed to the Texas Municipal Retirement System Board of Trustees by Governor Perry in 2003. Frank dearly loved his family and the many friends they made everywhere they went.

He is survived by Kelly, his beloved wife of 21 years; his sons, Price Simpson and Seth Simpson; and his daughter, Courtnie Simpson. He is also survived by his father, H. Frank Simpson; and two brothers, Link W. Simpson and his wife Ellen of Dallas, and Robert Kirk Simpson and his wife Shelly of Texas City; sister-in-law, Kitty Simpson; sister-in-law, Debbie Beltrand; brother-in-law, Robert Beltrand; and sister-in-law, Wendy Boyd and her husband Brad; along with many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his mother Gloria Jane Simpson, and his brother Michael G. Simpson.

Frank had many diverse interests and talents, including golf, hunting, and outdoor grilling on the BBQ pit. He was especially passionate in supporting Courtnie with her love of softball, and watching and predicting the outcome of sporting events.

A public visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 30 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, located at 2541 Earl Rudder Freeway South in College Station. A rosary will immediately follow the visitation. Services followed by a reception will be held on Wednesday, May 1, at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas. After the reception, a private graveside service will be held for the family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Frank's memory and sent to,
The American Heart Association at 3833 Texas 6 Business, Bryan, TX 77801 or
to the, Frank Simpson Children's College Trust Fund
c/o of Prosperity Bank-Greens Prairie
710 William D. Fitch Pkwy
College Station, TX 77845.

Memorial Funeral Chapel
College Station - (979) 694-8615
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Published in The Bryan College Station Eagle

College Station city workers mourn Frank Simpson
By ALLEN REED allen.reed@theeagle.com | Posted: Tuesday, April 30, 2013 12:00 am

It may have seemed like business as usual Monday at College Station City Hall, but it was far from that.

Tear-soaked faces mixed with silent sadness as colleagues and friends of City Manager Frank Simpson recalled the enthusiasm he brought to his job and love he had for his community.

They spoke about the surprising weekend death of their leader and how many believed the 49-year-old would enjoy a long tenure in Aggieland.

"It came from nowhere," said Councilwoman Julie Schultz of Simpson's apparent heart attack suffered while working in the yard of his new home. "There was no warning. We were all completely and totally shocked."

Simpson's passing came a little less than a month after he was unanimously appointed to the city's top administrative position. Those who knew him said it was the 1989 Aggie graduate's dream job.

Schultz said Simpson was so well liked that she and Councilman Jess Fields fought over who would get to make the motion to nominate him as city manager March 28. He served as deputy city manager since 2011, and the council liked his work so much that they appointed him to the top spot without the typical
search.

"Being out in the community, I talk to a lot of business people, and they have their issues with the city of College Station, but I have never heard one single negative word spoken about Frank, ever," Schultz said. "They were very enthusiastic about working with him."

'He was ready' for job

When former City Manager David Neeley was hired to the role in 2011, the runner-up was Simpson. The men knew each other from managing suburbs south of Houston -- Neeley in Sugarland and Simpson in Missouri City. Once hired, Neeley said, he turned to Simpson to serve as deputy city manager.

Simpson left his city manager job in Missouri City to return to College Station. His wife, Kelly, stayed behind with two of their three children and the family saw each other often. However, with Simpson's recent promotion, they bought a home in College Station and were in the process of moving.

"He and his wife had always planned that this had been their lifelong dream to come back here and his ultimate career goal was to be the city manager of College Station," Neeley said. "He told me this was his dream job."

Friends said Neeley, who was on the back end of his municipal career when hired, appeared to be mentoring Simpson for the role. Neeley, who retired in January, said that wasn't the case.

"I felt in my mind that he was there already," Neeley said. "I think some of them, just due to his age maybe, thought he probably might have needed a little more grooming. Working with him every day, I knew he was ready."

The city manager's office had three administrators in the fall, but now is down to one -- Deputy City Manager Kathy Merrill. On Monday morning, Mayor Nancy Berry appointed Merrill as interim; the council has called a special meeting at noon Thursday to address the personnel shortage.

Working through grief

"Everybody is still trying to get their minds around it," Merrill said of Simpson's death. "We're all very sad and working though our grief, but people still know they have to get their business done. We considered Frank our friend. I think the employes are still trying to pinch themselves."

Merrill joined the city in 2006 after working for the city of Abilene from 1994 to 2002. She was on staff when Simpson was hired, and said he had a management style and personality that resonated with city workers. Like others, Merrill said Simpson's love for the community was undeniable.

"He loved being an Aggie," she said. "He wanted to be here for many years. He told me this was going to be his last move."

Friend Hunter Goodwin said College Station was fortunate to have Simpson and echoed the sentiment that he was loved by his employees and the business community.

"If you look at Frank's resume you kind of scratch your head and wonder how was he comfortable being a deputy city manager at a city our size," Goodwin said. "When looking at it through maroon-colored glasses, we Aggies have an affinity for the mother ship."

A "straight shooter" was a term he attributed to Simpson.

"The best descriptor [of Simpson] is kind of the offensive lineman of the team, not seeking the glamour of the glory, but doing it right every day," Goodwin said.

Goodwin said he chatted with Simpson on Saturday morning and described the loss as not only a personal blow, but one that will be felt by the entire community.

"It wasn't the highest paying job or at the biggest city, but it was a decision from him to make a difference in our city because he loved it," Goodwin said.