"Parson" Simpkin, Ffoo-Hoo Chaplain, Has Passed

Ten years of idealistic service, rvhich had rvon hirn a place all his own in the hearts of lumbermen, came to a close for the Rev. Peter A. Simpkin, beloved chaplain of Hoo-Hoo International, August 1, at the home of his son, Dr. John M. Simpkin, in Marshfield, Oregon. Never physically robust, ill health and misfortune in 1929 marked the beginning of the end for this colorful apostle of the good word, who forsook the pulpit to carry the creed of goodwill, fellowship and the square deal into the lumber industry. He had been onthe inactive list for more than a year, his last regular service in the field being early in lgD. Ailing himself, his condition was aggravated by the illness of his wife last summer and her death in August last year. This tragedy prevented for the first time since I9N, the Chaplain's attendance at the Hoo-Hoo Annual, at which he alwavs was a prominent figure.

Rev. Peter A. Simpkin n'as l>orn May 28, 1866, at Lumberhead Green, Wigan, England. I{e started his ministerial career at 17, doing student preaching, and at 2l came to America. Admitted to the Methodist ministry, he was appointed to a church in Wisconsin, in 1890 and served four years. He entered the Congregational ministry at the time and was assigned to home missionary work in Wisconsin and later Nerv Mexico. After several years he q'as given the pastorate of St. Philip's Congregational Church, Salt Lake City, rvhere he presided from 1901 to 1920, intermittently filling the pulpit at a church in Santa Monica, Calif.,and at the Mission Church, San Francisco. He had many interests outside his church, being active in constru,ctive public affairs and a frequent speaker before various organizations. He rvas an ardent enthusiast for sporting events, his favorite pastime being baseball. During the war he was of great aid to the government through his efforts as a Y. M. C. A. secretary in the West, and through his speaking campaigns in behalf of the Liberty Loan. His strenuons efforts along thisline contributed perhaps more than anything else to the decline of his health in later years. He was intensely proud of the fact that he traveled more than 125.000 miles. delivered more than 1200 Liberty Loan and patriotic talks, and helped to raise approximately $5,000,000 for the war cause.

It was on account of ill health that the "Parson" resigned the pastorate of St. Philip's Congregational Church. The board of trustees adopted resolutions expressing the regret of the congregation and bestowing on him the title of pastor emeritus, which he held at the time of his death.

The "Parson's affiliation with Hoo-Hoo dates back to an address he made at Salt Lake City in April, 1920, when the audience included H. R. Isherwood, at that time serving his first 1'ear as secretary-treasurer of Hoo-Hoo International. Secretary-treasurer Isherwood told the Supreme Nine of the oratorical ability and the practical idealism of the Rev. Simpkin and suggested that he be engaged by the Order for work in the field. Immediate authorization rvas not forthcoming, but the secretary-treasurer bookecl Rev. Simpkin for several meetings during the year that followed and he made such a tremendous impression that he was employed a year later and sent into the field. His first association with lumbermen was not through HooHoo, however. The sobriquet, "Lumberjack Sky Pilot," rvas given him in his earlier days as a minister in Wisconsin, where he spent much time in lumber camps and among the hardy men rvho wrote white pine history in the North woods.

The title "Parson" rvas conferred on him during his career rvith Hoo-Hoo, though no one seems to recall just how the name developed. Lumbermen invariably addressed him by that title and corresponclence and publicity referring to him usually applied this term of affection.And the Rev. Simpkin himself signed his letters and referred to hjm;elf as "Parson."

,/ During his nine active years with the Order, he traveled hundreds of thousands of miles and delivered innumerable talks. He unfailingly drew a large audience and won cottverts to the cause of the Black Cat. "Parson" Simpkin was unusuallv tolerant in his views on politics, religion and personal habits. but he was intensely intolerant toward those lvho ignored Hoo-Hoo or minimized its benefits. He rvas personally so imbued with the virtues of fellowship, confidence and cooperation in business that he could not understand any lumberman not recognizing their importance.

H. had been at the home of his son at Marshfield for t some months, for medical attention and care. The body was taken to Salt Lake City for burial, following services from St. Philip's Church, Tuesday, August 5. Messages and floral offerings came from many sections. In addition to Dr. Simpkin, the chaplain is survived by another son, Joseph, arrd a daughter, Mrs. Alice Anderson, both of Salt I-ake City.

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