Simpson, long-time Crowley executive, dies
Richard A. Simpson, who served in various senior management positions at Crowley Maritime Corp. for 23 years, died Sunday following a long illness in Jacksonville, Fla., where he had been on business.
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Simpson joined Crowley in 1977 as vice president of sales and marketing, and built the first sales force for the company. He hired a number of personnel who now serve as managers within the company today.
Simpson is credited with initiating the first multiyear liner contracts with major shippers, which helped build Crowley’s share of the Caribbean trade from 4 percent to 35 percent in four years. He also headed Crowley’s marketing expansion in Lake Charles, La., and Pennsauken, N.J.; started the TeleSales department and Company Store; and oversaw projects such as the Crowley history book, Two Men at the Helm, the Thomas Crowley Trophy Program, and Crowley employee newsletter. He was vice president of public relations when he retired in 2000.
He then became president of International Transport Logistics and was working at Aqua Gulf at the time of his death. He resided in Lafayette, Calif.
During his career, Simpson was active in numerous industry groups. He had served as chairman and president of the Containerization and Intermodal Institute, in which he was a member since 1980; chairman of the American Waterways Operators Public Affairs; United Seamen’s Service; AOTOS Award Committee; and vice president of the National Freight Association.
Simpson was born in Buffalo, N.Y. He settled with his family in Jacksonville when he was a teenager. He later attended Alabama State Teachers College and was a member of the National Guard.
His first job in transportation was with Great Southern Truck Lines, which became Ryder Trucks. He later joined Railway Express where he was appointed one of the company’s youngest vice presidents. Following a stint with Acme Freight, Simpson became consultant in sales and marketing to then fledgling FedEx Express, before joining Crowley.
His wife Pamela and children Lauren Elizabeth and Richard Tracy were with him at the time of his death. He is also survived by his mother Gladys Simpson of San Pedro, Calif., and brother and sister-in-law Carl and Margaret Simpson of Jacksonville, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service and reception for Simpson will be held on Feb. 15 at 3-5 p.m. at Eppings Forest Yacht Club in Jacksonville. For further information, contact Barbara and Joe Yeninas at (732) 615-0534.