Former U.S. Senator Alan Simpson Dies Aged 93

Former U.S. Senator Alan Simpson has passed away at the age of 93, as confirmed by both his family and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

The longtime Republican senator, who once played football for Wyoming and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2022, had been recovering from a hip injury since December. He passed early Friday morning.

“He was an uncommonly generous man. And I mean generous in an absolutely unconditional way. Giving of his time, giving of his energy—and he did it in politics and he did it in the family, forever,” said Pete Simpson, his older brother, in the statement.

Serving from 1979 to 1997, Simpson was regarded as a moderate by today’s standards. His tenure in the Senate coincided with President Ronald Reagan’s revitalization of the Republican Party.

At six feet seven inches tall, Simpson was the tallest senator in history until Alabama’s Luther Strange, who stands at six feet nine, took office in 2017.

As a key figure in Senate leadership, Simpson played a crucial role in unifying GOP senators around the party’s legislative initiatives. However, he was widely recognized for his sharp-witted and sometimes blunt opinions.

Known as a fiscal conservative, Simpson criticized reliance on government programs and was an advocate for abortion rights—a stance that distanced him from some in his party.

By 1995, he had decided against seeking another term, stating that he had grown weary of Senate life.

After retiring from politics, Simpson took on teaching roles at the University of Wyoming and Harvard University, focusing on media and politics.

“Today, our state and country mourn the passing of our dear Senator Alan Simpson,” wrote Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) on X.

“There was no stronger advocate for the needs, industries, and interests of Wyoming. I extend my deepest thoughts and prayers to Al’s family and friends, he will be missed dearly.”

Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-WY) also released a statement, saying, “Wyoming lost one of its most beloved and fiercest champions today.”

“Al Simpson is known for his devoted lifelong service and unparalleled sense of humor…. While others ran from tough issues, Al embraced the opportunity to solve them. He cherished every fight to do what he thought was right. He was a mentor and a dear friend. Al’s incredible legacy will influence generations to come. My prayers are with his wife Ann, their children Bill, Colin, and Sue, and their entire family,” Barrasso added.

Among his Democratic allies were Norman Mineta, former Secretary of Transportation under President George W. Bush, and Robert Reich, who served as Secretary of Labor under President Bill Clinton.

Simpson and Mineta first crossed paths in the Boy Scouts, following Mineta’s time in a World War II-era Japanese-American internment camp at Heart Mountain, near Simpson’s hometown of Cody, Wyoming.

After their political careers, both worked to raise awareness about the approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans interned during the war. Mineta, who passed away in 2022, once recounted a moment when Simpson was asked about the difference between a Democrat and a Republican.

“Alan thought about it and he said, ‘Well, I wear size 15 shoes and he wears a size 8 and a half,’” Mineta recalled, as noted by the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation.

Simpson was recognized for “gifted in crossing party lines and building bipartisan consensus,” said Colin Simpson, his son and a former Wyoming House speaker.

“Dad and Pete have anchored the extended Simpson family for decades with the same love, humor, compassion and dedication their parents did before them,” he added. “Dad was a mighty force and with Mom’s steady hand by his side we are so blessed and proud to have been along for the ride of a lifetime.”