Robert L. Simpson, 'Bob' April 3, 1942 - November 5, 2025
I. Tribute -Introduction: MA Leck, based on comments from Bob’s 2010 vita
II. Dennis Whigham
III. Herb Grover
IV. Thomas Parker
V. Concluding Thoughts
VI. Publications
Note: there are multiple names for ‘The Marsh’: Trenton Marsh, Hamilton –Trenton Marsh. Hamilton-Trenton-Bordentown Marsh, and Abbott Marshlands.
I. INTRODUCTION – MA Leck , based on comments from Bob’s 2010 Vita
Bob Simpson’s original wetland research, with Dennis Whgiham and Ralph Good, and then with students and Mary Leck, included the first ecological studies of the Abbott Marshlands. Studies were interdisciplinary and examined a range of topics including life histories of species, such as wild rice (Zizania aquatica), Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), and Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), as well as plant decomposition, nutrients and heavy metal cycling, and marsh paleoecology; he coedited-three books: Freshwater Wetlands: Ecological Processes and Management Potential (1978) and Ecology of Soil Seed Banks (1989), both published by Academic Press; and Seedling Ecology and Evolution (2008) published by Cambridge University Press.
Even with his teaching and administrative duties, Bob contributed significantly to more than three dozen technical articles related to the Abbott Marshlands (see website list) These studies, as well as presentations at scientific meetings, contributed to the understanding of the ecological importance of tidal freshwater wetlands, such as the Abbott Marshlands.
Bob’s career evolved over time as he took on various administrative roles in which he could enhance the teaching of science. He served as: chairman of the Biology Department at Rider College (now University) (Lawrenceville, NJ) 1972‐1980/1981; Dean of Sciences at Wiliam Paterson College (Wayne, NJ) 1985‐1991; Adjunct Graduate Professor of Biology at Rutgers University (Camden, NJ); Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs – Kettering University, Flint Michigan, 2006‐2007; and Provost and Vice Chancellor at the University of Michigan, Dearborn. 1991‐2006.
During his administrative career, his responsibilities included strategic planning, daily operations, budgeting, personnel, fund raising, and grant writing. At every level he focused on empowering those who worked under his direct supervision, as well as faculty and staff.
He was ready with ideas for improvements. Mary Leck recalls his reporting meeting Rider’s then President Frank Elliot on campus who asked him what could he do with $8,000. Bob immediately told him “Build a greenhouse.” That greenhouse, built adjacent to the science building, was used for more than 20 years for marsh-related projects, some years having more than 200 marsh soil and/or seed samples. A number of studies could not have been done without the controlled environments provided by that greenhouse.
Bob served on many boards and committees. He was a recipient of a New Jersey Governor’s Challenge for Excellence grant, as well as grants from the National Science Foundation, AT&T Foundation and Ameritech Foundation.
He was a committed teacher, and with experience his courses became more interactive and collaborative, including laboratory and field experiences for both majors and non‐majors. He came to believe that writing was integral, and restructured his classes to incorporate meaningful writing assignments.
He taught General Biology, General Zoology, Field Natural History, General Ecology, as well as Invertebrate Zoology, Applied Ecology, and Wetlands.
II. TRIBUTE FROM DENNIS WHIGHAM
The Hamilton Marsh was likely the most important ecosystem of my career and Bob Simpson, and Mary Leck, were equally important. Bob and Mary arrived at Rider College a year or two before me, but upon our arrival in 1971, Jan and I became friends with both of them as well as their companions, Penny Simpson and Charlie Leck. Our link to the Hamilton Marshes began when I was teaching an evening course at Rider and Jerry Herrera was a student. Jerry was employed by Hamilton Township and following a discussion regarding my interests as an ecologist, he suggested a visit to the wetlands. I was smitten immediately and recognized that the tidal freshwater wetlands represented a wonderful research opportunity. Jerry helped Bob and me get funding from Hamilton Township to initiate research and the rest is history. Bob and I, soon to be joined by Mary, developed a successful program that not only included some of the original research on tidal freshwater wetlands but also provided opportunities for Rider students to engage in hands-on research. Several (Herb Grover, Kendra Eager, and Fritz and Debby Sickles) went on to obtain advanced degrees that led to successful careers.
Bob and I formed a complementary team. Bob’s training at Cornell provided the framework for the aquatic side of the research and was a complement to my interests in plant ecology and ecosystem functioning. Mary’s interest in plant ecological physiology (seed germination ecology) added depth to the program.
Bob and I also developed a collaboration with Ralph Good (Rutgers University, Camden); and with Charlie Leck (Rutgers University, New Brunswick) who brought to the group a bird view of the world. For me, the collaborations and success of our work, in no small sense was due to initial funding from Hamilton Township. Undoubtedly, the research that we published and the grants that we secured had a bearing on my appointment to a research position at the Smithsonian Institution in 1977.
Bob and I, with funding from the U.S. government, conducted the first experiment in the country on the potential for using freshwater tidal wetlands to provide tertiary treatment for wastewater. With funding from the EPA, Bob and I, along with Ralph Good, edited a book on ecological processes and management potential of freshwater wetlands that became one of, if not the first, book used for evolving wetland courses in the country. Results of the research in the Hamilton Marshes were included in that volume.
Like me, Bob eventually moved from Rider and his skills as an administrator took him to important positions in New Jersey and Michigan. Between my departure and his, he coedited three books, one with Ralph Good and two with Mary and Tom Parker that included Hamilton Marsh research, for which they became internationally recognized.
The years have passed, but the memories of those early days remain as fresh today as they were then, in no small part due to the friendship with Bob and Mary and the playground that was provided by the Hamilton Marshes. Their legacy lives on in the Tulpehaking Nature Center.
Dennis Whigham
Distinguished Emeritus Scientist
Smithsonian Institution
III. TRIBUTE FROM HERB GROVER
Memories of the Hamilton Marshes and More
Herb Grover, B.A. Biology, Rider College, Class of 1974
I transferred to Rider College (now Rider University) in the fall of 1970. Dr. Simpson (Bob) was Biology Department chairman at the time, and therefore had a significant and direct influence on my undergraduate collegiate career. Of course, Dr. Dennis Whigham and Dr. Mary Allessio (now Leck) were new members of the Rider faculty at that time, and also had very consequential impacts on this naïve young man, and first-generation college student emerging from the pine barrens of NJ.
Dr. Simpson’s courses in invertebrate and vertebrate biology were challenging and essential to my pursuit of not only the degree from Rider, but a subsequent M.S. in Botany from Rutgers University, and Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico. Later in my career I taught courses in zoology, with my lectures drawing heavily from those influential courses with Dr. Simpson.
Drs. Simpson, Whigham, and Leck patiently mentored me through my time at Rider, instilling in me an interest in learning more about biology in a broad sense, but also in conducting research projects that led to paper presentations at the NJ Academy of Sciences. They also directed my interests to field work in the Hamilton Marshes, where I spent several summers collecting, sorting, and measuring plant biomass affected by secondarily-treated wastewater. Zizania; Nuphar; Pontederia; Saggitaria; and many other genera of marsh plants passed through my hands as I worked on a team of undergraduates to help determine how the marsh responded to effluent coming from the nearby wastewater treatment plant.
What are my memories from those summers? First, driving across Trenton in the aged, white station wagon (Mercury, I think) that Rider provided as our field vehicle. Our john boat was tied to the roof with a small outboard motor tucked in the back compartment, along with all of our sampling gear and chest waders. On our return trip the wagon would be chock full of the plant material we harvested, filling the car with an “aroma” that took some time to “appreciate.”
Second, the dramatic growth rate of wild rice – an annual plant that each year would shoot up from seed to stalks 12 to 14 feet tall! There were occasions when my compatriots would be only a few feet away, but totally obscured by the thick vegetation and yelling that they were lost! But none were – we all survived to tell our stories.
More memories have returned as I write this – more that space allows, so I’ll end with one field experience that stands out. Another undergraduate, Fritz Sickles and I were fast friends during the project. He and I were harvesting the root material of a Pontederia plant (I think) – both of us had our arms elbow deep in the marsh muck, and both of us, at the same time, grabbed something solid and rounded with a rough surface. We looked at each other in alarm – could this be a snapping turtle??? In the end, we extracted the item – a bowling pin from the Hamilton Bowling Lanes that was upstream of the marsh. And then the laughter echoed through the marsh!!
Dr. Whigham left Rider in the fall of 1976 and Bob hired me to fill-in as an instructor in plant biology and ecology for the spring, 1977 semester. My wife and I moved back to Hamilton Township with our infant son, Dennis. I have a distinct memory of Bob visiting our apartment on the day of Jimmy Carter’s inauguration. Bob held Dennis while watching the inaugural parade and I was off doing some chores. The Simpson’s later shared with us that Bob’s experience holding our son tipped the scales in favor of their starting a family!
I left NJ in the fall of 1977 to pursue a PhD in ecosystems ecology at the University of New Mexico. Bob visited us while I was in graduate school in Albuquerque and we shared some mild adventures exploring the mountains and rangelands in the region. On one excursion we came upon a rattlesnake that had been shot, but was not yet dead. We finished what someone else had started by removing its head, then skinned it. The next day, we had a cookout with snake n’ steak as the main course!
I finished my PhD. and went on to a career in teaching and research spanning 40 years or so. As a result of the caring influence of Drs. Simpson, Whigham and Allessio-Leck at Rider, my passion for undergraduate education and research led to my pursuing faculty positions at small, liberal arts colleges in Texas – Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, TX, and later Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, TX.
As an undergraduate student at Rider in the 1970’s, I presented a paper at the NJ Academy on a seed germination study conducted under the guidance of Dr. Allessio-Leck, with Dr. Simpson recommending me for membership in the academy. I was deeply honored by their confidence in me and their thoughtful and caring influence on my personal journey into the sciences. In the late 1990’s, while a faculty member at Hardin-Simmons University, I joined the board of directors of the Texas Academy of Sciences. Over the next several years, I was fortunate in mentoring a number of undergraduate students as they presented award-winning papers and posters at the Texas academy annual meetings.
I finished my active career in academia as Dean of Math and Sciences at Wayland Baptist University, retiring in 2015. Bob’s influence on my career continued as I consulted with him for advice on how to succeed as a university administrator. He was generous with his advice and I benefited greatly from his wisdom over the years.
This past fall, my wife and I took an extended RV trip, which included a visit with Bob and Penny Simpson at their home in Michigan. Bob was in poor health, so our time together was brief, but over the course of just a few hours we reminisced and laughed together as we recalled the memories from our years at Rider important to each of us. Before we parted, I was able to thank Bob for all he had done to help me as a student, and my later endeavors in academia.
I am sure that each of us can identify a small number of people who have played a key role in our personal development. For me, there was a trio of young and energetic faculty from Rider College – Drs. Robert Simpson; Dennis Whigham; and Mary Allessio-Leck, who I encountered at just the right time in my life. I continue to think of them often as I reflect on my career in higher education, and I can only hope that at least some of my former students recognize that my passions were ignited by caring mentors and educators who cared deeply for the well-being of their students.
Rest In Peace Bob. You are deeply loved and your legacy is secure.
IV. Tribute from V. Thomas Parker – Rider College, Biology 1977-1980
Bob Simpson, with his asymmetrically colored beard, was always somewhat in my head. Even though we hadn’t seen each other in quite a few years, he was a major mentor to me and I truly appreciated everything he did.
Beyond the ecology and biology part, about which Bob was quite knowledgeable and insightful, he also was rigorous in other ways. A few things remain quite vivid to me. One was Bob explaining the difference between ‘since’ and ‘because’ because I tended to use ‘since’ as if it meant the same thing as ‘because’ – (which, the way I hear people use it, it probably will soon). But I have religiously changed ‘since’ and ‘because’ to all their correct usages in all the papers of students I’ve had ever since (hah, correct use!). I now have the same issues with ‘farther’ and ‘further’ – and almost no one uses farther when they should; it seems like ‘further’ is taking over the meaning of both words. John McWhorter would smile and keep a record of such evolution.
Bob also informed me that it was our obligation as scientists to ‘give back’ to society, apply our research in ways that helps. So, I have tried to do this as much as possible, mostly by public talks and a book for the public on manzanitas, which are a very diverse and difficult group to identify. The local chapters of the native plant society probably hear from me too often and I give an annual talk to the Friends of San Pedro Valley Park near San Francisco.
I also served on a science advisory board for Nevada County for 3 years; and a biology review panel for the Bay-Delta plans (twice, 3 years each). I was also a founding member and first president of the Pacifica Land Trust in the Bay Area. And I am Editor-In-Chief, Madroño (Western N. Am. Journal of Botany).
Those were fun, and the motivation came from Bob Simpson’s admonitions.
V. Thomas Parker
Emeritus Professor of Biology
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA
V. Closing – MA Leck
I write these final thoughts for Bob Simpson’s remembrance on New Year’s Eve 2025. I would like to thank Denny Whigham, Herb Grover, and Tom Parker for their reflections about Bob. Bob’s contributions to our understanding of the ecological significance of the Abbott Marshlands are now almost buried with the passage of time; the 1970s were quite a while go. When I look in the mirror, I KNOW.
We did it together. Most studies over the years were collaborative efforts. I am indebted to all, colleagues, spouses, and students. I cannot emphasize enough how important Bob was to these marsh studies. His grasp of issues and thoughtful solutions were critical to moving the work forward. Moreover, he was responsible for a grant that funded growth chambers, and the additional greenhouse space, which actually was provided in anticipation of studies, not yet planned (!), for which greenhouse space was critical. AND he helped carry what may have been a ton of saturated marsh soil out of the marsh to a van for transport to the greenhouse where we followed seed bank germination, impact of crude oil, and set up other studies.
I mention their wives, although not scientists, who were supportive even when we, as editors, disappeared for several days to edit either the seed bank or seedling book.
Bob’s 2010 vita was also helpful in preparing this remembrance.
VI. Publications – RL Simpson
Books
- Good, R.E., D.F. Whigham, and R.L. Simpson. 1978. Freshwater Wetlands: Academic Press, Orlando, FL.
- Leck, M.A., V.T. Parker, and R.L. Simpson. 1989. The Ecology of Soil Seed Banks. Academic Press, Orlando, FL. 462 p.
- Leck, M.A., V.T. Parker and R.L. Simpson. 2008. Seedling Ecology and Evolution.Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK. 512 p.
Chapters & Articles
- Leck, M.A., R.L. Simpson and V.T. Parker. 2008. Why seedlings? Pgs. 3‐14. In Seedling Ecology and Evolution. M.A. Leck, V.T. Parker and R.L. Simpson (eds.). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.
- Parker, V.T., R.L. Simpson and M.A. Leck. 2008. The seedling in an ecological and evolutionary context. Pgs. 373‐389. In Seedling Ecology and Evolution. M.A. Leck, V.T. Parker and R.L. Simpson (eds.). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.
- Leck, M.A. and R.L. Simpson. 1995. Ten-year seed bank and vegetation dynamics of a tidal freshwater marsh. American Journal of Botany. 82:1547‐1557.
- Leck, M.A. and R.L. Simpson. 1994. Tidal freshwater wetland zonation: seed and seedling dynamics. Aquatic Botany. 74:61‐75.
- Leck, M.A. and R.L. Simpson. 1993. Seeds and seedlings of the Hamilton Marshes, a Delaware River tidal freshwater wetland. Proceedings Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 144: 267‐281.
- Leck, M.A. and R.L. Simpson. 1992. Effect of oil on recruitment from the seed bank of two tidal freshwater wetlands. Wetlands Ecology and Management. 1:223‐231.
- Orson, R.A., R.L. Simpson, and R.E. Good. 1992. The paleoecology development of a late Holocene tidal freshwater marsh of the upper Delaware River estuary. Estuaries. 15:130‐146.
- Orson, R.A., R.L. Simpson, R.E. Good. 1992. A mechanism for the accumulation and retention of heavy metals in tidal freshwater marshes of the upper Delaware River estuary. Coastal, Estuarine, and Shelf Science. 34:171‐186.
- Whigham, D.F. and R. L. Simpson. 1992. Annual variation in biomass: A comparison of tidal freshwater and tidal brackish wetlands. Bulletin Virginia Academy of Science. 43:5‐14.
- Orson, R.A., R.L. Simpson, and R.E. Good. 1990. Sediment accumulation in a tidal freshwater marsh. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology. 60:859‐869.
- Toorn, J. van der, J.T.A. Verhoeven, and R.L. Simpson. 1990. Freshwater marshes. Pgs. 445‐465. In Wetlands and Shallow Continental Water Bodies, Vol.1. B.C. Patten et al. (eds.) SPB Academic Publishing bv, The Hague, The Netherlands.
- Leck, M.A., R.L. Simpson, and V.T. Parker. 1989. The seed bank of a freshwater tidal wetland and its relationship to vegetation dynamics. Pgs. 189‐205 In Freshwater Wetlands and Wildlife. R. Sharitz and E. Gibbons (eds.). DOE Symposium Series. No. 61, USDOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information, Oak Ridge, TN.
- Parker, V.T., R.L. Simpson, and M.A. Leck. 1989. Pattern and process in the. dynamics of seed banks. Pgs. 367‐384. In The Ecology of Soil Seed Banks. M.A. Leck, V.T. Parker, and R.L.Simpson (eds.). Academic Press, Orlando, FL.
- Simpson, R.L., M.A. Leck, and V.T. Parker. 1989. Seed Banks: General Concepts and Methodological Considerations. Pgs. 3‐8. In The Ecology of Soil Seed Banks. M.A. Leck, V.T. Parker, and R.L. Simpson (eds.). Academic Press, Orlando, FL.
- Whigham, D.F., R.L. Simpson, R.E. Good, and F.A. Sickels. 1989. Decomposition and nutrient‐metal dynamics of litter in freshwater tidal wetlands. Pgs. 167‐188. In Freshwater Wetlands and Wildlife. R. Sharitz and E. Gibbons (eds.). DOE Symposium Series. No. 61, USDOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information, Oak Ridge, TN.
- Leck, M.A., R.L. Simpson, D.F. Whigham and C.F. Leck. 1988. Plants of the Hamilton Marshes: N.J.: A Delaware River freshwater tidal wetland. Bartonia. 54:1‐17.
- Leck, M.A. and R.L. Simpson. 1987. The seed bank of freshwater tidal wetland: Turnover and relationship to vegetation change. American Journal of Botany. 74:360‐370.
- Leck, M.A. and R.L. Simpson. 1987. The spore bank of a Delaware River freshwater tidal wetland. Bulletin Torrey Botanical Club. 114:1‐7.
- Dubinski, B.J., R.L. Simpson, and R.E. Good. 1986. The retention of heavy metals in sewage sludge applied to a freshwater tidal wetland. Estuaries. 9:102‐111.
- Sickels, F.A. and R.L. Simpson. 1985. The ecology of giant ragweed Ambrosia trifida in a Delaware River freshwater tidal wetland. Bulletin Torrey Botanical Club. 112:368‐375.
- Simpson, R.L., M.A. Leck, and V.T. Parker. 1985. The ecology of Impatiens capensis Meerb. in Central New Jersey. Bulletin Torrey Botanical Club. 112:295‐311.
- Simpson, R.L. and R.E. Good. 1985. The role of tidal wetlands in the retention of heavy metals. Pgs. 164‐175. In Proceedings of Conference‐‐Wetlands of the Chesapeake. Groman, H.A., et al. (eds.). Environmental Law Institute, Washington, DC.
- Simpson, R.L., R.E. Good, B.J. Dubienski, J.J. Pasquale, and K.R. Philipp. 1983. Metal flux in Delaware River freshwater tidal wetlands. Division of Water Research, Center for Coastal and Environmental Studies, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ.
- Simpson, R.L., R.E. Good, M.A. Leck, and D.F. Whigham. 1983. The ecology of freshwater tidal wetlands. BioScience. 33:255‐259.
- Simpson, R.L., R.E. Good, R. Walker, and B.R. Frasco. 1983. The role of Delaware River freshwater tidal wetland in the retention of nutrients and heavy metals. Journal Environmental Quality. 12:41‐48.
- Whigham, D.F. and R.L. Simpson. 1982. Germination and dormancy studies of Pontederia cordata L. Bulletin Torrey Botanical Club. 109: 524‐528.
- Simpson, R.L., R.E. Good, R. Walker, and B.R. Frasco. 1981. Dynamics of nitrogen, phosphorus, and heavy metals in Delaware River freshwater tidal wetlands. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis, OR. 192 p.
- Whigham, D.F., R.L. Simpson, and K. Lee. 1980. The effect of sewage effluent on structure and function of a freshwater tidal wetland. Water Resources Research Institute, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. 160 p.
- Simpson, R.L., D.F. Whigham, and K. Brannigan. 1979. The mid‐summer insect communities of freshwater tidal wetland macrophytes. Bulletin of the New Jersey. Academy of Sciences. 24:22‐26.
- Whigham, D.F., R.L. Simpson, and M.A. Leck. 1979. The distribution of seeds, seedlings, and established plants of arrow arum (Peltandra virginica (L.) Kunth) in a freshwater tidal wetland. Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club. 106:193‐199.
- Simpson, R.L., D.F. Whigham, and R. Walker. 1978. Nutrient movements in freshwater tidal wetlands. Pgs. 243‐257. In Freshwater Wetlands: Ecological Processes and Management Potential. Good, R.E., D.F. Whigham, and R.L. Simpson (eds.). Academic Press, NY.
- Whigham, D. F., J. McCormick, R.E. Good, and R.L. Simpson. 1978. Biomass and primary production of Middle Atlantic Coast freshwater tidal wetlands. Pgs. 3‐20. In Freshwater Wetlands: Ecological Processes and Management Potential. Good, R.E. Whigham, and R.L. Simpson (eds.). Academic Press, NY.
- Whigham, D.F. and R.L. Simpson. 1978. Nitrogen and phosphorus movement in a freshwater tidal wetland receiving sewage effluent. Pgs. 2189‐2203. In Coastal Zone ʹ78. American Society Civil Engineers, NY.
- Whigham, D.F. and R.L. Simpson. 1978. The relationship between above ground and below ground biomass of freshwater tidal wetland macrophytes. Aquatic Botany. 5:355‐364.
- Whigham, D.F. and R.L. Simpson. 1977. Growth, mortality, and biomass partitioning in freshwater tidal wetland populations of wild rice Zizania aquatica var. aquatica. Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club. 104:347‐351.
- Whigham, D.F. and R.L. Simpson. 1976. The potential use of freshwater tidal marshes in the management of water quality in the Delaware River. Pgs. 174‐186. In Biological Control of Water Pollution. Toubier, J. and P. Pierson, Jr. (eds.). University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia, PA.
- Whigham, D.F. and R.L. Simpson. 1976. Sewage spray irrigation in a Delaware River freshwater tidal marsh. Pgs. 119‐145. In Proceedings of a Freshwater Wetland and Sewage Effluent Disposal. Tilton, D., J. Kadlec, and C.J. Richardson (eds.). University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
- Whigham, D.F. and R.L. Simpson. 1975. Ecological Studies of the Hamilton Marshes. Progress report for the period June 1974‐January 1975. 185 p.
- Simpson, R.L. and M.L. Allessio. 1973. Steps in identifying and limiting problems. Cuyahoga Heritage Investigator. 1(7):13.
- Simpson, R.L. and D. Pimentel. 1972. The effects of the aquatic herbicide Fenac on small ponds. Search: Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station and New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, A Statutory College of the State University at Cornell University. 2(10): 1‐59.
- Simpson, R.L. and W. Harmon, 1968. Occurrence of Hymenolepis citelli, McLeod, 1933 in the rodent genus Dipodomys Gray, 1841. Journal of Parasitology. 54:769.
