Richard C. Simpson, 70, of Driscoll passed away on July 25, 2023, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.
A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, July 31, 2023, at 10:30 AM at Grace Lutheran Church, Driscoll. Burial will follow at the Driscoll Township Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 30, 2023, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Bismarck Funeral Home, with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Monday.
Richard C. Simpson, 70, of Driscoll passed away on July 25, 2023, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on June 26, 1953, at St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck, to Donald and America (Thomsen) Simpson. He attended school at Driscoll Public School and after 8 th grade year the family moved to Yakima, Washington where Richard finished his education at AC Davis High School. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for four years. Richard spent the next three years working for his brothers working bees. Richard and “Pops” Biegler connected in Washington through the bee business. Richard convinced “Pops” to give him a ride in his semi to North Dakota so he could re-connect with “Pops’” daughter and his elementary sweetheart.
Richard was united in marriage to Sharon Biegler on May 8, 1976, his sweetheart from elementary school. Together they raised three children: a daughter, Jennifer Lynn, a son Jody Lee, and a daughter, Tanya Marie. In 1978, the couple made the decision for Richard to re-enlist in the Navy and start the next great adventure of their life together. Over the next 19 years, the family were stationed in various locations throughout the United States. Richard’s final assignment on the U.S.S. Willamette was most memorable by his children as they were able to tour it before his retirement.
The family moved back to Iowa where Richard was the Mid-East Supervisor for the Naval Recruiting Division until his retirement in 1994. He worked various jobs until he decided to become a truck driver in 1996 working for Warnell Trucking. A year later, they moved back home to North Dakota. In the summer of 1998, they bought the Biegler homestead and made it their forever home. Richard decided to continue trucking and started his own business. He did this for over 25 years and most recently worked for Kirschmann Trucking. Richard was diagnosed with cancer in 2019 and spent the last four years of his life fearlessly fighting various cancers that he never let affect his positive outlook on life.
Richard had a love for old cars, “real” Country music, spending time with his family, fishing with his brothers, and travelling with his wife on their motorcycle. He will be greatly missed by everyone that knew him.
Richard is survived by his wife, Sharon, of 47 years; his children, Jennifer (Jamie) Harter, Jody (Jessica) Simpson, and Tanya Simpson; grandchildren, Connor Wolfer, Ashlyn Simpson, Keira Wolfer, Jayden Simpson, Ethen Iverson, Harper Harter, and Gage Simpson; brother, Dennis (Kathy) Simpson, Lyman, Washington, George (Mary) Simpson, Tuttle, sister-in-law, Rosemary Simpson, Yakima, Washington, sister-in-law Arvella Simpson, Brewster, Washington, brother, James (Michelle) Simpson, Helena, Montana, sister, Deanna Simpson-McNeal, Pacific, Washington, Dorrennee Kingham, Auburn, Washington and Jody (Lisa) Simpson, Edgewood, Washington; and various extended family members.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Larry and John; sisters, Audrey Martin and Robin Simpson.
A support fund for the family has been established at FirstChoice Bank.