Joseph Rogers Simpson, Sr., MD, PhD of Creve Coeur, Missouri died at the age of 83 on October 24, 2024. He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Eleanor P. Simpson and their son Michael P. Simpson. He is survived by sons Dr. Joseph R. (Monica) Simpson, Jr. of Reno, Nevada and Allan Kenneth (Dr. Tiffany) Simpson, J.D. of Leawood, Kansas. Joe Sr. was the loving grandfather of Aidan, Brooke, Caroline, Elizabeth and Catherine Simpson. He was the beloved brother of Juanita (the late Dr. Ronald) Temple, J.D. and dear brother-in-law to Dr. Roger (Dr. Joan) Perlmutter and Rosanne (the late Karl) Garrett. Joe Sr. was a dear uncle to the late Ronald J. Temple, Jr., Karyn Temple, J.D., Randall (Lola, J.D.) Temple and Noah and Lillian Perlmutter; great uncle to Lauren Michelle Claggett, and Abisola and Dara Temple; and cousin to John W. Rogers, Jr. and Victoria Rogers. He was a dear cousin, colleague, mentor and friend to many.
Joseph Rogers Simpson, Sr., MD, PhD was born on October 21, 1941 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was the oldest child of Geraldine Rogers Simpson and Joseph Simpson, and big brother to Juanita Temple. They grew up on 3239 Harvey Ave in Cincinnati, Ohio and he attended Columbian Elementary School. Joseph then attended Walnut Hills College Preparatory High School from 1954-1959. He was a Scholar Athlete who excelled in science and math, and studied Russian independently, arriving before the regular school hours. Joseph was on the WHHS Eagles football team, ran cross-country, and played trumpet in the marching band.
Joseph met Eleanor, his wife of nearly 56 years, at the University of Chicago; they married on June 16, 1968. Joe and Eleanor welcomed their first-born son Joseph Rogers Simpson, Jr. on July 13, 1969; their second son Michael Paul Simpson on April 16, 1971; and their third son Allan Kenneth Simpson on November 27, 1978.
Joseph was awarded the Presidential Scholarship to attend Cornell University in Ithaca, New York where he was a Member of Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity and played Cornerback on the Cornell football team; Joseph was both fast and strong. He graduated from Cornell University in1963. After Cornell, he attended the University of Chicago where he was awarded his PhD in psychopharmacology in 1967. After completing his PhD, he worked on his Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut 1968-69. After completing his post-doctoral fellowship, he graduated from Harvard University Medical School in Cambridge, Massachusetts and his eventual specialty was radiation oncology.
He did further training at Michael Reese Hospital, in Chicago, Illinois as well as at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. After completing his training, he started at Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes Jewish Hospital St. Louis in 1978 as a radiation oncologist. His career at Barnes and Washington University in St. Louis was from 1978-2014 where he specialized in the treatment of head and neck cancer. He became a full professor in radiation oncology; expertise with Gamma knife, including studying in Sweden.
Graveside service Sunday, November 3, 10:30am at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Cemetery, 9125 Ladue Road. Contributions in his memory may be made to Walnut Hills High School Alumni Foundation, 3250 Victory Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45207 or to the charity of your choice.
A RINDSKOPF-ROTH SERVICE
