Bruce Simpson

Bruce Simpson passed away Oct. 10 in Gainesville at the age of 92. He was born May 16, 1927 in Allentown PA to Frederick and Elizabeth Simpson. After having graduated from high school in 1945 he enlisted in the Navy and was in boot camp when WWII ended. He then served at the US Separation Center in Bainbridge MD. He was discharged from the Naval Reserves in 1954. He attended Purdue University under the GI bill and graduated in 1950 with a BS in Electrical Engineering. He was a member of Kappa Delta Rho fraternity and met his future wife, Alice Curtis, at a trade dance. They were married February 24, 1951 and lived in Allentown PA until relocating to Gainesville FL in 1957 when Bruce started working for the Crom Corporation. Along with business associates Ted Crom, Bob Puder and Dudley Cunningham he helped build a fledgling niche construction company into one of the the most respected companies in its field in the Southeastern US. He worked there until his retirement, serving as President from 1973-1986. He was actively involved with the Associated Builders and Contractors of FL and the National Right to Work for many years. He enjoyed golfing at the Gainesville Golf and Country Club and in Highlands, NC and Sky Valley, GA, the lake house and sailing at Lake Winnott in Melrose FL, tailgate parties at the Crom Corporation before Gator football games and watching Purdue and Gator basketball and Tampa Bay Rays baseball on TV. He was a faithful and devoted member of University Lutheran Church where he served in many capacities over the years including as a Sunday School teacher, council member, and chairman of the building committee for the current church sanctuary which is considered a Gainesville architectural landmark. He is survived by his wife of 68 years Alice and his four children: Scott, Patty, Gail (Barry) Bailey and Paul (Patricia); 5 grandchildren: Kristin Bailey Hutchinson, Michael Bailey, Morgan Simpson, Zachary Bailey and Sean Simpson; 2 great grandsons; and sister-in-law Mary Lou Curtis of W. Lafayette IN. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Elizabeth Simpson. The funeral service will be on October 16, 2019 at 2 PM at the Chapel at Forest Meadows Cemetery on 39th Ave., followed by a private family graveside ceremony. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to University Lutheran Church, 1826 W. University Ave., Gainesville FL 32603.

Bruce Simpson

October 12, 2019