Dale F. Simpson, 71, of Rodney, passed away quietly at home on May 4, 2017. He was born at Womens Hospital in Detroit on May 11, 1945, to the late Floyd D. and Jeanne G. (Cairns) Simpson. He had a quintessential childhood growing up in Dearborn Heights with a working father, stay-at-home mom, and an older brother, Wayne. After graduating from Hasten High School in 1963, he enrolled in RETS Electronics School in Detroit where he earned a "Certificate of Completion." Shortly thereafter, he gained employment at Burroughs Corporation in Walled Lake where he fixed and maintained the computer banks. After his dad retired from Burroughs in 1969, the family moved to Big Rapids where they began construction on Circle Drive Mobile Home Park south of town. He served as general manager however, in his mind, his crowning achievement there was the design and manufacturing of the lamplights that still remain at the front entrance to the park. In 1973, the family relocated to Jenison, Michigan, where he and his dad built and co-owned Jenison Auto Parts. In 1977, Dale moved back to Big Rapids where he began his career at Ferris State University (then College) in the Instrument Repair Department. Two years later, he transferred to the Electronics Department where he remained until his retirement in 2005. Dale was a very innovative man. He often employed the Rube Goldberg technique to "fix" or create items that best suited his needs. It was said on many occasions "if Dale cant fix it, you might as well throw it away." He was a hard and dedicated worker who, more often than not, exceeded everyones expectations. He was a very quiet and private person with only a few close friends of his choosing. He loved to design and build things, including his home in Rodney, that he and his wife built in 1983. He enjoyed doing yard work, working in his garage, and traveling with his wife to the Upper Peninsula in his 65 Mustang convertible that he completely restored. Surviving him are his wife, Esther; sons Robin (Heather) Simpson in Oak Park, MI, and Chad Simpson in Chattanooga, TN; step-children Connie (Robert) Jackson in San Antonio, TX and Eric (Michelle) Schlaack in Lakeland, FL; and grandchildren Lily and Sheldon Simpson and Kendall and Nathan Jackson. Cremation has been entrusted to Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home. There will be no memorial service, as per his final wishes. Donations may be made in his memory to The American Heart Association and/or The American Lung Association.