Stan Simpson was born near Karamea in 1933. He went to school in Little Wanganui and Karamea before attending Christchurch Boys’ High School. From there he went to Canterbury University, graduating in 1956 with an MSc (Hons) in crystallography. He went to Leeds University, on a Defence Scientific Corps scholarship, where he gained a PhD in textile physics. In 1960 he was awarded a Silver Medal by the Worshipful Company of Woolmen for outstanding research on wool.
Stan returned to New Zealand, and in 1962 he was among the first scientists at the newly formed Wool Research Organisation (WRONZ) in Lincoln.
During his scientific career he published many papers on wool protein, polymer chemistry and structure and was also involved in several patents. He had interests in non-flammable wool products, anti-static treatments and dyeing techniques.
He became Director of WRONZ in 1978, a position he held for fifteen years. A vital aspect of his work was to establish a consensus between the interests of woolgrowers, scourers, equipment developers, and textile and carpet manufacturers for funding research and development programmes which best served national interests.
Overseas, Stan served fifteen years on the International Wool Secretariat R&D Committee and travelled widely to establish working relationships with wool research laboratories and industrial companies in the UK, Europe, USA, Australia, Japan and China. He gained the support of the WRONZ Board to found WRONZ Developments Ltd as a commercial vehicle to provide industry services and facilitate technology transfer. In 1996 he received an OBE for services to the wool industry.
After his tenure at WRONZ he continued his scientific interests by co-editing a textbook with Geoff Crawshaw titled, “Wool: Science and Technology” which was published in 2002.
He was a member of NZIC from 1961, becoming a Fellow and Canterbury Branch Chairman in 1972 and NZIC President in 1981. He remained a member until November 2024. In addition to his contributions to NZIC, he was also an Associate, and then later a Fellow, of the Textile Institute of New Zealand.
Stan enjoyed trips abroad, especially if they involved a walk in the Yorkshire Dales. He was also an enthusiastic gardener.
Stan passed away on 13 September 2025 aged 92 and is survived by his wife Shirley, his children Jacqueline, Richard and Philip, and six grandchildren.
