In loving memory of Ben Simpson who sadly passed away on 30th January
Details of the funeral are provided below. Please feel welcome to leave a personal tribute. It would be appreciated if you could click the button below to RSVP:
Please Note as of 20th February 2022: if you haven’t already responded to the RSVP we are now at the legal capacity for Pembroke Lodge.
There will be standing room outside but there is no loudspeaker.
FUNERAL SERVICE
The funeral service will be held at 1.30pm on Friday 25th February at Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Park
We have chosen The Belvedere Suite at Pembroke Lodge for its peaceful location, where Ben’s family and friends can share memories and celebrate his life. Black or formal funeral attire is not requested – please feel free to wear a splash of colour. You are warmly welcome to join us after the service for afternoon tea, also in the Belvedere Suite.
Directions for Pembroke Lodge are provided below.
HOW TO GET THERE
Address:
Pembroke Lodge
Richmond Park
Richmond
Surrey
TW10 5HX
Directions:
Pembroke Lodge is located within Richmond Park close to the Richmond gate entrance. There is plenty of free parking. The Belvedere is located on the ground floor with disabled access.
The Park is closed to traffic at dusk (approx from 5.15pm) so entry and exit thereafter is via Richmond Gate only, which is manned by Pembroke Lodge staff. Due to the deer and other wildlife, please take extreme care whilst driving in the park.
DONATIONS
In lieu of floral tributes we invite you to donate to our chosen charity MAGGIE’S – read more here.
Thank you
TRIBUTES
I only met Ben a few times at Royal St George’s golf club, but he made a big impression with his powerful swing and his gentle manner.
Warmest condolences from John, Nick and Edward (OW) Bragg
A lovely genuine and kind bloke gone far too early in life. My Deepest sympathies to Ben’s family.
Warmest wishes
Duncan Ellis
I am deeply saddened to hear of the loss ot Ben. Words cannot even begin to express my sorrow. I will say though, he will always be in my heart. I will always cherish the memories such as you worte the board all R and L spells wrong in Christmas holiday 2011.
Please remember that Simpson family are not alone, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kohei
Dear Ben,
I can’t believe that how soon you left us.
The first time I met you was London Golf Club. After that I met you many time at On Course Foundation.
You are a such a great person, always willing to help us. I became very close to your family and you helped me in so many ways and occasion.
You will be always remembered and never be forgotten.
Rest in peace my friend!
Your friend,
Hari Budha Magar & Family
Canterbury
A truly wonderful son, husband, brother, uncle, friend… So many hearts aching with loss…gone way too soon. Rest in peace.
Camille Humphrey
A tribute to my cousin
Ben.
If I may, I would like to quote the lyrics of a little known song actually written & performed by Michael Jackson.
This sums up how I actually feel about my most amazing cousin: ‘Gentle’ Ben.
Gone too soon…..
Like a comet
Blazing ‘cross the evening sky
Gone too soon.
Like a rainbow
Fading in the twinkling of an eye
Gone too soon.
Shiny and sparkly
And splendidly bright
Here one day
Gone one night
Like the loss of sunlight
On a cloudy afternoon
Gone too soon.
Like a castle
Built upon a sandy beach
Gone too soon,
Like a perfect flower
That is just beyond your reach
Gone too soon,
Born to amuse, to inspire, to delight
Here one day
Gone one night,
Like a sunset
Dying with the rising of the moon,
Gone too soon…….
Gone too soon.
Paul Fisher
If you asked anyone on that first day of uni who would remain firm friends for nearly 20 years after, the last 2 people you’d have put together would have been Ben and I! He was one of my most favourite people in the world and will always, always have a special place in my heart and I have so many amazing memories to cherish.
Kelly Steed
A truly devastating loss.
Whilst I remember changing his nappies when he was a baby and pushing him around in his pram when I was about 10; I also remember him being such an amazing man more recently and particularly being an enormous comfort and support when we lost Daphne.
A kind hearted soul and genuinely special person.
Sending all my love and condolences to all those he loved. xx
Laura Symons
A wonderful legend! The gentle giant of a brother who was always so kind to us rabble of mates, and a half decent golfer… not a big hitter at all! 😉 x
Andy Digweed
Ben , always full of smiles and always ready help and listen. Have fond memories playing golf with Ben. And was deeply shocked of his passing. Time on Earth with family and friends are so short and must be cherished by all.
Louis Smit
Very fond memories of Ben from the times we met – a lovely man taken far too early. Thoughts and prayers with all of his family.
Greg Rorison
Ben, my good friend.
You were an incredible person, a gentle giant (less when playing golf), always laughing, always up for some good old banter.
You were great to me. You made me feel part of your family as soon as I met you and we shared some great memories on and off the golf course.
Gone far too soon but you’ll never be forgotten my old pal. My thoughts are with Ben’s family.
Rest in peace big man!
Paul Swain
When we lose someone we love we must learn not to live without them but to live with the love they left behind – my thoughts and prayers to you all
Joanna Fisher
Ben was a wonderful, thoughtful and kind person. Everytime he came to Exeter and when we travelled to London he would welcome us with that lovely warm smile of his.
We miss him so much and cherish the happy memories we had with him, Marie and Ernie. Whenever we visit Dartmoor and the beaches of South Devon we will imagine that he is with us and our lives will not feel so empty.
At this sad time we send our love and condolences to our daughter Marie and to Bens family.
It was an honour to have known Ben and he will always have a special place in our hearts We were so proud to have him as our Son-In-Law. We will never forget him. Rest In Peace.
Richard Atkinson
To Ben, our youngest friend
“People can live forever….” said a high priest
“… as long as there are memories in people’s hearts”
Ben, you will live forever in our family and in our prayers.
Kuma Yamagata
It has been a complete privilege to have known Ben all these years, watching him grow into such a fine young man who was looked up to by so many people. Treasured memories including many flights together-I am honoured to have been his friend and will miss him terribly.
David Wilson
Dear Ben, we first met in 2007 and later we had the privilege to meet Marie. Even we lived in different places we share a pack of beautiful memories from Isla, Loch Lomond, Wimbledon, Royal St Georges, Sylt, just to list a few. We will miss you, but you will remain in our hearts for the rest of our life. – Now we are looking forward to our friendship with Marie, your parents Jane and John, your brother James and sister Olivia.
Tim van Delden
Ben was a gentle giant and will be sorely missed – he was generous, kind, warm and most importantly had a zest for life…. My deepest condolences to The Simpson family… A very sad loss…..
Omar Malik
It has been a complete privilege to have known Ben all these years, watching him grow into such a fine young man who was looked up to by so many people. Treasured memories including many flights together-I am honoured to have been his friend and will miss him terribly.
David Wilson
Ben was a genuinely lovely, gentle giant of a man who was one of the good guys. Modest, at times shy, but always with a cheeky grin on his face.
Things like this are simply not supposed to happen in the normal cycle of life, which makes Ben’s passing all the more difficult to accept. Our children are our everything.
Our hearts go out to Marie, John and Jane, James and Olivia, and all the family.
Ben will be dreadfully missed, but his memory will live on forever. RIP Ben.
With love, Nick, Bev and all the Angell family xxx
We remember you Ben with such fondness and are so saddened to hear of your passing.
Your time on the Isle of Man with us was so special. Your kindness to Luke and James when they were youngsters will never be forgotten, by them or us. You were so kind, caring and thoughtful to us all.
Our thoughts and prayers are with John and Jane and all the Simpson family.
Remembering you Ben with great fondness and love
Graham and Susan Lacey
I am so shocked and saddened to know Ben is no longer with us. I remember as clearly as can be what a wonderful sweet little boy he was and Jane and I taking him and my daughter Natasha out in Ben’s pram. My heart goes out to you Jane and John.
Alexis Stratfold
I miss you Ben.
I can`t believe, I don`t want to believe the loss of you.
You left us good memories in Kyoto, Nasu and your home country.
Always smile when I remember you. I love your warm character.
I am really appreciate for your help to Kohei and being his big brother.
John, Jane and all the Simpson family, my heart is always close to you.
Etsuko Yamagata
We were heartbroken to hear of Ben’s passing. Our times with Ben and Marie were limited due to distance but we were so glad we were able to be with them on their happiest day. Even with that limited time together, we could see the love he had for Marie and his family as well as their love for him.
Our thoughts continue to be you.
– Atkinson’s (Washington D.C.)
Ben, we have known you from your early twenties, through all the Simpson Cups and their organisation. I remember the first time you played golf with me in one of our SSP days just as OCF was being founded. You eagled a par four from about 8 feet. You were always so kind, humble and generous of spirit, never appearing to panic with the organisation of events. You always had a smile and were a credit to yourself and your family. It’s been a pleasure to know you.
John, Jane, Marie and family, we are sorry we can’t be with you but our thoughts and prayers are. A life cut far too short but one you can all be proud of. He was liked by so many and will be sadly missed.
David and Diane Rasche
I feel honoured to have known you Ben. We first met when I was in rehabilitation and I became a member of the On Course Foundation.
You were kind, helpful, engaging and enthusiastic from the moment I met you. I will always remember your big, warm smile, your joviality and the respect you showed to all the Veterans supported by the On Course Foundation.
For the few years I was involved with OCF it was clear how close and loving you were with your Mum, Dad, sister and brother. I am blessed to have known you and I will never forget how far you could smash a golf ball 😉 Incredible shots by an incredible man. RIP Ben.
Stewart Hill
Ben was a true friend and partner for some of the most memorable times of my life. I look back with extreme gratitude and happiness for the experiences I shared with Ben and the entire Simpson family. Ben, Jane, John, James, and Olivia always treated me like family and I am thinking of everyone and sending love across the pond.
Justin Watzka
I’ve seen Ben grow up to be an amazing intelligent gentle man.
Memories as a child of just running round and round a garden non stop with a massive smile on his face, seeing a video of him breaking the rear light of his Dad’s car with a 3 wood whilst conducting a practice swing too close, and then apologising profusely, to then as a man turning up for a great nights out when he was at Sandwich. RIP Ben, you will be so sadly missed.
Paul Messenger
Dear Marie, John, Jane, James & Olivia
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Ben, sending love and condolences to your family.
Ben was instrumental in the success of OCF in my opinion, as he found common ground with myself and the majority of the guys. He was up for a laugh and a beer and always tried to put everybody at ease. On the Simpson cup events he managed to support both team GB and team USA with an even hand and great skill, this was no mean feat.
When my family visited me on the Simpson cup events he was always kind and considerate in hosting my wife and my children. He became a very good friend and he will be sorely missed.
I am always grateful to you and your family John as the OCF and Golf changed my life, and Ben was a huge part of that.
Sending love,
Paul and Lucy Skivington
When I look back at my life as a child, I am flooded with memories at the Simpson house, which became a second home for me. We would play rugby, football, golf, run, laugh, play all day in the garden, slob out and watch TV, eat massive bowls of pasta in the kitchen, all Oscar and Bentley ran around and joined in the fun. I am so grateful for the love Ben, John, Jane, James and Olvlivia showed me, and I always remind myself how lucky I am to have had these experiences. Ben was a true gentleman, a wonderful brother to James and Olivia and a loving son. Sending all my love to whole Simpson family.
Miles x
Dear Ben
You were such an important and wonderful part of our childhood.
We will always remember the times we had with you and James. Two girls and two boys having so much fun.
Digging a hole in the garden to try and reach the other side of the world. Riding our bikes as fast as we could across the common. The gate between our gardens so we could see you and James whenever we wanted.
We will always remember you with such fondness and happy memories.
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
All our love
Camilla and Louise Cramsie
Even though we cannot be there, we just lit a candle for Ben and are thinking of and praying for his family.
Sylvie
with Samuel, Ben and Sara
“There are very special people in our lives
that never leave us even
after they are gone.” Ben I will miss you so much, we had some amazing times together over the years and memories and smiles that will last with me forever.
Paul Severn
I have been putting this off since the terrible day Ben left us. It’s hard to accept that he’s actually gone and won’t walk into John’s office or the coffee shop during our meetings.
Along with Harry Richards, who was also taken far too soon, Ben and I were the first members of staff at the On Course Foundation. He took me under his wing, offered advice and went out of his way to help me (figuratively and literally). For months he’d pick me up on the A3 en route to the original box office in Chertsey. From there to Richmond and the pleasure of exploring the many eateries it has to offer; usually enjoyed whilst walking along the river bank.
In those early days, we were making it up as we went along (in a way!) and I remember the times we looked at each other during meetings, both not knowing the answers to the many unknowns. With a wry smile Ben would think on his feet or change the subject and get the questioner on his side somehow. At the time I thought it was “more luck than judgment”, but on reflection, it’s clear that he was a master at forging relationships and keeping them. He taught me a lot and I feel privileged to have worked so closely with him. We both made mistakes, no doubt, but we always had each other’s back and shared some incredible memories.
Ben was a helluva golfer. We both have a similar short, whippy swing – something you see more often on Tour today in likes of John Rahm and Tony Finau. We joked that we were ahead of our time! There were some some great matches and although Ben was by far the better golfer, I always raised my game when we played. Motivation for Office bragging rights? Possibly, but Ben always brought the best out in people both on and off the golf course.
There’s nothing I can do to comfort the Simpson Family after their enormous loss but to say that I’ll do everything I can to keep Ben’s legacy going and honor his work by making the Foundation and Simpson Cup the best I can.
As a small gesture, Anya and I have come up with the above (first draft) artwork which Callaway have agreed to embroider on Team GB and Team USA’s golf bags at The Simpson Cup.
Ben, I will miss you terribly, RIP my friend. See you on the other side.