Alistair Simpson (1940-2022)

Gordon Stringer and Dale Vargas write:

17/08/22: Alistair Simpson, who has died at the age of 82, was captain of fives at City of London School and won a half-blue at Oxford.

Alistair had a very successful school career being an entrance scholar, captain of the school for two consecutive years and captain of both cricket and fives. His cricket XI, in which he featured as a good wicket-keeper and batsman, included a young Mike Brearley, later to captain England. Alistair later went on to play for the Old Citizens in both games for a number of years.

The son of ordained ministers, Alistair grew up with his four sisters in a strongly Christian family. After school he spent four years at Merton College Oxford, where he read classics and played most sports for his college. After graduation he considered going into teaching and was offered an opportunity to teach classics at Shrewsbury School. However, he declined and instead chose to join the Reed Paper Group. He subsequently moved to Bowater (now part of Resolute Forest Products of South Carolina) in due course becoming Production Director for Europe.

It was through the Church that he met his future wife, Joy. They had three sons, Andrew, Timothy and Philip. He often reflected upon his rich and fulfilling family life with his wife, sons and grandchildren. The family moved to Scotland, where Alistair became a voluntary worker in the Presbytery of Falkirk. He became an elder and honorary treasurer at Larbert Old Church, where his guidance, particularly on financial matters, was often sought and respected.

Alistair Simpson was a modest man with great integrity, empathy and tact. In spite of his distinguished career and many achievements, he remained a person of great humility with a deep concern for others. He maintained regular contact with both school and college and these friendships meant a great deal to him.

Alistair Simpson and the 1956 CLS Fives team: Front row - AH Pearmain, DM Cooper (Secretary), AD Simpson (Captain), GD Stringer, H Helfer. Back row - TE Manning (MiC), RGW Stirling, GB Green, AS Corby, JM Brearley, WW Pantzer and (left) with David Cooper at the OCEFC 125th Anniversary Dinner, Lord's, 2018.