Community bids farewell to their “PAC Man”

Loss of David Simpson a tremendous blow

By Barb Pert Templeton

When you give so much of yourself to others and do so with a helping hand and open heart, saying good-bye is one of life’s biggest challenges.

Just ask the family and friends of longtime East China Performing Arts Center Manager David Simpson, 45, who passed away on Feb. 26, 2025 after a courageous battle with cholangiocarcinoma.

Selfless, compassionate, humorous, giving, wise, present, and humble were the words used to describe Simpson in his lengthy and impressive obituary as posted on the website at Grace Memorial – Bower Rose Funeral Home in Marine City

After graduating from Oakland University with a degree in Theatre Production and Design Simpson began working for East China School District and was instrumental in the opening of the East China Performing Arts Center in 2004.

For over twenty-one years, Simpson, aka PAC Man, made thousands of students look and sound great with his impeccable attention to detail in sound, light, and stage design,

Simpson even won a pair of Grammy awards and toured with many internationally-known artists. He served on Marine City’s planning and city commission and chaired countless other boards for the community and the school district. He was one of the founding members of the Marine City Music Festival.

Marine City Area Chamber of Commerce Director Laura Merchant said Simpson was instrumental in starting the Rec Teen Zone and she was fortunate enough to get to work on the project with him.

“He was a wonderful man, he was also on out city commission and was always the voice of reason and he did his due diligence,” Merchant said. “We lost a tremendous man who did so much for so many.”

Marine City Clerk Jason Bell confirmed that Simpson was appointed to the city commission in March of 2013 to fill a vacancy from a resignation. He ran for and won reelection in 2016 and served until his resignation on April 16, 2018 due to moving out of the city.

Current members of the Marine City Commission took time out during commissioner privilege at the end of the March 6 meeting to remember Simpson.

Commissioner Sean O’Brien said Simpson played a major role in the lives of anyone involved in Marine City High School theater productions or music productions at East China Performing Arts Center.

Teens or young individuals just finding themselves would come across Simpson – one of these people that encouraged them to be themselves – and he was simply an extremely capable mentor and just blessed so many people, O’Brien said.

“He touched many lives; he served on this commission, he was an individual who understood service, service to your community and service to your fellow human beings and he just kept giving and it was always something that was very moving and impressive and I’ve carried it with me since I first met him many years ago,” O’Brien said.

Noting that Simpson shared his cancer battle online and with the community, O’Brien said “we all walked with him, either close to him or from afar but we got to see that carryout and it was very heartbreaking losing this man.”

“So, to Dave, thank you for all you’ve done and to his family, my deepest condolences,” O’Brien said.

Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Hendrick said she was on the commission when Simpson held a seat there and you didn’t have to agree with him but he was always great to work with.

“He would always work with you no matter what and he had a great position on this board,” Hendrick said. “And he is going to be really missed because he was a really good guy.”

Mayor Jennifer Vandenbossche also offered her condolences and memories of Simpson.

“He did a great job on the city commission and I also had the privilege of serving with him on the board for the Rec Teen Zone for a period of time, “Vandenbossche said. “He was a great human; a great person and he will be sadly missed.”

Simpson was also remembered as a devoted husband, loving son, supportive brother, fun-loving and adventurous uncle, and an always dependable friend.

He is survived by his wife Laura (Hansen) devoted parents, Lloyd and Vicki (Nall) Simpson; his siblings, Bill Simpson, Marybeth (Simpson) and Jon Brickman, and Rachel (Simpson) and Tony Lownds; and many adoring nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Simpson’s life was held on March 8, 2025, at East China Performing Arts Center. Arrangements were by Grace Memorial – Bower Rose Funeral Home in Marine City.

As social media sites exploded with posts offering fond memories and heartfelt condolences for Simpson from family members, friends and colleagues another way to pay tribute to him was announced.

To honor his selfless life his family has established a memorial fund through the Community Foundation to help positively impact the performing arts community Simpson so loved. To make a donation visit: https://stclairfoundation.org/2025-memorials/