Edwin Ronald Simson

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Edwin Ronald Simson, who left us on January 4, 2026 at the age of 90.

Ed was born on August 29, 1935 in Fresno, California, Eddie was the beloved child of Evelyn and William Albert Simson. He grew up in Monaca, Pennsylvania, attended Monaca High School, where he played football. After graduation he attend Penn Tech for two training as an electronic technician. He worked in Washington, DC at NSA for one year, then return to Pennsylvania to work as a television repairman. In 1958 he joined the United States Air Force for four years. He was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, NC where he was a radar technician. Upon honorable discharge he moved to Hyattsville, MD. In 1963 he was employed by the Department of the Navy at the Naval Research Laboratory in the Space Science Division in Washington, DC. He retired from NRL in 1995 but continued to work as a contractor until 2008.

Ed married Charlotte Ann McKinney in 1959, and together they shared 66 wonderful years caring for one another and being one another’s best friend. He was a devoted parent to William (Tom) and Daniel (Suzanne) Simson, and cherished time with his grandchildren Hayley and Zachary, and over the years to beloved pets and grandpets Trevor, Patches, Maggie, Taylor, Champ, and Ringo.

Ed will be remembered for his NRL work. He assisted in helping create a fantastic yard and garden at the family home in Fairfax, the many car trips he took the family to the Blue Ridge, Hersheypark, Florida, and back “home” to Western Pennsylvania. He loved watching the Redskins and Nats play, but he also enjoyed watching the Steelers and the Pirates. He loved watching his children and grandchildren perform and play sports, putting up and playing with his model railroad and model planes, but mostly for his dedication to the welfare of his family.

Edwin is survived by his wife Charlotte, sons, Dan and Will, daughter in law Suzanne, and grandchildren, Hayley and Zachary, son-in-law Tom Barr, sister-in-law Mary Garvin, nephews Richard (Lona) Hemer and Thomas (Heidi) Hemer, grandnephews Tom and Nick, and grandniece Brooklyn Hemer. He is preceded in death by his parents William and Evelyn Simson, and sister Grayce Kugel Alexander.

A memorial service will be held for the family and burial will be at the Culpepper National Cemetery, Culpepper, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity organization of choice. Ed will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.