NOrmally this post would go in Rest in Peace, but Jim was so important to our profession that Land Surveying will be affected. So I put it here.
Jerry Knight sent me an email last night saying that Jim Simpson died yesterday. Jim was head of the riparian section of BLM for about 9 years, and was instrumental in the BLM and the Manual of Instructions. He was the surveyor of surveyors. He was also a civil engineer.
He wrote the widely ciurculated book, River and Lake Boundaries. He was about 90, but of extremely sound mind until the end.
I think his book is being donated to BLM.
During the Rapides/Grant Boundary Dispute in 2000, I read his book to gain more information about the subject, since the case involved that. His book had something in it that bothered me, so I called him. Shortly after that I went out to visit him at his home at Kingman, AZ, in the desert, to discuss the issue that concerned me. It had to do with baldcypress and water levels. He and I talked about it all day and resolved it. We struck a friendship that we maintained from then on. As he got older he refered cases to me. It became the best professional relationship I have had.
Jim gave me a lot of guidance. I wanted to be more like him. He saw where my deepest interests were, and he suggested to me that I consider slowing down my consulting engineering business, smelling the roses, and orienting it to what I like best. He strongly suggested going back to school, which I thought was pretty far fetched at 53. But, incredibly I did, and earned two more degrees in a related topic that I love, somewhat related to land surveying. I sold my engineering firm to a national company, and am doing exactly what he and I talked about. Jim Simpson changed my life, and I will forever be appreciative and thankful. I am sure he has changed the lives of others as well. I will miss him.
Thanks for letting us know Frank. We lost a good one who contributed much to the profession.
The graying of the land surveying community is getting disturbingly hard to ignore. Especially among those of us sporting the most gray.
P.S. While I respect Frank's reverence for Mr. Simpson, I submit that every surveyor's demise is important, and that the category of this thread be revisited.
Rest in Peace.
I heard that his book is the best treatise on riparian rights and BLM procedures and that this seminars were very good also.
Good to hear that he was a good mentor also.
Jim, you are exactly right. I certainly did not mean to diminish respect for all the rest of those in our profession.
I had the privilege to speak with him back in January of 2012, I believe. He was as nice of a guy as you could ask for. I purchased his book upon DDSM's recommendation. He mailed me the book, and told me that since I was a surveyor, just mail him a check when I got it.
I wish I would have asked him to autograph the book. He struck me as one of those people you would really enjoy sitting on the front porch with, just listening to his experiences.
We lost another good one. Very sorry to hear it.
Thanks for sharing your connection Frank.
RIP Jim, you will be missed but your footsteps will walk on.
Sad news, indeed.
Jim was a real asset to our profession. I'm glad he had the foresight to document a small portion of his knowledge and wisdom in his books and presentations. His impact upon our profession will live longer than his years here on earth.
RIP, Jim.
JBS
Never had the opportunity to meet him. Sadly, I don't see a replacement coming up the ranks.
His book is here: http://www.citlink.net/~platkey/
I had the honor to attend Jim's 40 hr. course in 2006. In my 28 years as a PLS, I've never attended one so rigorous or complete. Jim made you feel like you were a part of his crew. A fine Coach and Mentor.
RIP Jim.
DDSM
I went to one of Walt Robillard's seminars in San Antonio. Walt made the statement
that water boundaries and riparian law are too vague and as a result, there are no
experts in water boundaries.
At a break, a young surveyor asked Walt if he didn't think James Simpson was an
expert in water boundaries. Walt turned white as a sheet and walked away.
I thought I better find some of Simpson's books and got a hold of one.
Fantastic read!!!!
Take a look at some of the cases, including a state boundary case, that Jim and Robillard disagreed on. You might see why.
