by Mike Matzinger
Alan Kooi Simpson (1931 – 2025) was born in Denver, Colorado, but grew up in Cody, Wyoming, where the rugged landscapes of the West became the backdrop for his formative years. As a Boy Scout in his youth, Simpson embraced the outdoors, camping, and camaraderie—hallmarks of Scouting life—especially in the deep wilderness of Wyoming. He fondly recalled how much he cherished getting into the wild and sharing those experiences with his troop, a sentiment rooted firmly in the Scout spirit.
During World War II, something extraordinary happened: his troop embarked on a visit to the Heart Mountain internment camp, where Japanese-American families—including many Scouts—were being unjustly held. While other troops hesitated, Simpson’s Scoutmaster stood firm: “Because there are Boy Scouts in there.” Trusting that principle, Simpson joined the visit and met a fellow Scout—Norman Mineta. Despite the barbed wire and armed guards, they connected instantly: swapping comic books, pitching tents, tying knots, and even digging a drainage ditch together. That shared experience blossomed into a decades-spanning friendship.
As adults, Simpson and Mineta both served in Congress—on opposite sides of the aisle—but their bond endured. When the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 came before them, Simpson’s deep understanding of what Mineta and other Japanese Americans had endured became personal. He supported and helped pass the reparations legislation, a gesture rooted in that childhood connection forged through Scouting.
Throughout his political career, Simpson upheld the values that Scouting instilled in him: public service, integrity, and friendship beyond differences. His leadership as a U.S. Senator, including serving as Republican Whip, Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and other key roles, was anchored in those early lessons from Scouting’s emphasis on character and community.
