PORT TOWNSEND — Wednesday’s memorial service for the late Peter Simpson, which drew 200 people to the Fort Worden Commons, was true to the way his friends said he lived his life: honest, heartfelt and with a classy flair.
Mr. Simpson, the artistic director of the Port Townsend Film Festival, died of cardiac arrest at his Port Townsend home on April 16. He was 74.
Among the stories of friendship, poetry readings, songs by the Port Townsend String Quartet and a booming rendition of “Un bel di vedremo” from the opera “Madame Butterfly” was an airing of something Mr. Simpson never flaunted in his life: his long list of accomplishments.
Nick Reid, a long-time friend of Mr. Simpson, said the list was seemingly endless.
“But he never displayed these accomplishments,” Reid said.
“Those were not his wares.”
Mr. Simpson was involved with the Northwest Maritime Center, Olympic Community Action Programs, the Washington State Historical Society, the Jefferson County Historical Society, the Washington State Association of Community Action Agencies, the Washington State Rural Development Council and the Port Townsend Arts Commission.
He served on the board of the School of Athens Lecture series at the Rose Theatre and was the editor of a book, City of Dreams, A Guide to Port Townsend.
The role that brought him the most fame in recent years was with the Port Townsend Film Festival, which celebrates its tenth year this year — first as director, then artistic director.
‘Touched thousands’
“It’s certain Peter touched thousands of people who never even met him,” said Joseph Bednarik, a friend of Mr. Simpson.
“He cannot be replaced, but he will return at odd and random times.
“You will see an old e-mail or a photograph or do a double-take when you think you see his truck downtown.
“When this happens, say hello. Send him our love.”
Rocky Friedman, a friend of Mr. Simpson for 25 years and a fellow movie lover, said he lost twice the day Mr. Simpson died.
“We made a deal that whoever died first, the other would speak at the memorial,” said Friedman, who owns the Rose Theatre in Port Townsend and who was one of the founders of the Port Townsend Film Festival.
Friedman said he had hoped to die first, since Mr. Simpson was a brilliant wordsmith and would deliver a wonderful speech.
“I was betting that would happen,” he said.
“I lost a bet and I lost a friend.”
Friedman described his friend as “an intelligent, kind man of many passions who remained curious about the world.”
“Every time I went into his office and sat in that comfortable chair, I found it hard to pull away,” he said.
“He made me feel better than I was.”
Born in Fairbanks, Alaska, on Aug. 12, 1934, Mr. Simpson lived in Port Townsend for 40 years, first moving to the city in 1959 with his wife, whom he met at the University of Washington in 1952.
In 1968, the two moved to Reston, Va., but returned to Port Townsend a decade later, in 1978.
Mr. Simpson is survived by his wife, Pat, 72, of Port Townsend, and his son, David, 45.
David Simpson spoke briefly to the crowd at the end of the memorial and thanked them all for coming.
“My dad loved this town,” he said.
“I can’t think of any other place he would have been able to realize so many of his passions.”
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.
