Divine Word University's Vice President, Br Andrew Simpson died in Madang, Papua New Guinea

By Joe WASIA

President Enga Students Association 2011

It was one of the moments when a CEO of the university came down to be with the Enga students at their end-of- the year function at Nagada beach, tens of kilometres north of Madang town in 2010.

Late Br. Andrew Simpson with Enga students, 2010

This is one of the memories that even time will never erase in ones.

Eyes welled up in tears when, on the evening EMTV bulletin, I saw that this great man, the Australian Christian brother, Andrew Simpson CFC, Vice President of Divine Word University, was dead.
I couldn't believe the news until calls and text messages from friends confirmed his death on a Friday from an heart attack.

Br Simpson will never be forgotten in the hearts and minds of every Papua New Guinean who passed out of that institution from its pre-university state to this day. He contributed so much to the university to be where it is today as a model institution in PNG, providing knowledge and skills required in this 21st century.

He was a most respected fellow at the university who would eat with us students in our dining hall, attend end-of year functions with the clubs and always be at social events organised by student groups. He would tell us stories and socialise well with the student body and the DWU community.

I could not deny that the university was blessed with this great man in the areas of spiritual, academic, environmental and social development since he first set foot on PNG soil in the early 1990s. This Australian bloke was an enemy to none and friend to everyone in his time in our country.

For many years he was the Principal at St Benedict's Teachers College in Wewak. He was also most important for rugby league in PNG, being at different times chairman, selector and manager of a Kumuls to tour France.
Bro Simpson’s death, he was aged about 70, is a painful experience in the lives of every current and former student of DWU.

I know it will take time for the university to produce such a great man. His distinguished characters, experiences, knowledge and skills will certainly be needed by this young and a vibrant university in the many years to come. It’s a painful experience in the lives of every former and the current students that will never be forgotten in the years to come.

His tireless efforts in bringing up the institution and grooming and exporting human resources to fill the gaps in PNG’s workforce is a greatest investment left behind and his footprints will be forever remembered.

Let’s all accept that God Almighty has plans and purpose for every human being that lives on the face of the earth. With that, my heartfelt condolences to the late Bro Simpson who has been a mentor and a great friend. I will never forget him in my entire life. May his soul rest in eternal peace.