Robert Simpson (meteorologist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Simpson
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Simpson in 1956.
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Robert Homer Simpson
November 19, 1912 Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
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| Died | December 18, 2014 (aged 102) Washington, D.C., U.S.
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| Education | Southwestern University (B.S., 1933) Emory University (M.S., 1935) University of Chicago (Ph.D., 1962) |
| Known for | Tropical cyclone research, Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale, NHC director |
| Spouse(s) | Joanne Simpson |
| Awards | Department of Commerce Gold Medal, Cleveland Abbe Award |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Meteorology |
| Institutions | Director of the National Hurricane Research Project Director of the National Hurricane Center |
| Theses |
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| Doctoral advisor | Herbert Riehl |
| Other academic advisors | W. S. Nelms |
Robert Homer Simpson (born November 19, 1912 – died December 18, 2014) was a famous American meteorologist and expert on hurricanes. He was the first director of the National Hurricane Research Project (NHRP) from 1955 to 1959. Later, he led the National Hurricane Center (NHC) from 1967 to 1974. He is best known for helping create the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale with Herbert Saffir. His wife, Joanne Simpson, was also a very important meteorologist.
Contents
Early Life and Weather Adventures
Robert Simpson was born in Corpus Christi, Texas. When he was just six years old, he lived through a very strong storm, the 1919 Florida Keys hurricane. This powerful hurricane hit his hometown and caused a lot of damage. Sadly, one of his family members did not survive. This early experience made him very interested in the weather.
He finished high school in Corpus Christi in 1929. Then, he went to Southwestern University and earned a degree in physics in 1933. He continued his studies at Emory University, getting a master's degree in physics in 1935. During the Great Depression, it was hard to find a job as a physicist. So, Robert taught music in high schools in Texas for a while.
Joining the Weather Bureau
On April 16, 1940, Robert Simpson started working for the United States Weather Bureau. His first job was in Brownsville, Texas, as a junior weather observer. He also worked temporarily on Swan Island. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he became a forecaster in New Orleans.
He also studied at the University of Chicago in 1943 and 1944. After that, he worked as a hurricane forecaster in Miami. He then helped set up a weather school for the Army Air Force in Panama. It was there that he took his first flight directly into a tropical storm! After World War II, he convinced the Air Force's Hurricane Hunters to let him join their flights. He called these "piggy back missions." On these flights, he would take scientific notes using early weather tools.
Leading Hurricane Research
After the war, Simpson returned to Miami. He then moved to the Weather Bureau headquarters in Washington, D.C. In 1949, he was sent to Hawaii to manage the Weather Bureau's operations in the Pacific. While there, he started a weather station on Mauna Loa. He also studied special low-pressure systems called Kona lows. He even flew into Typhoon Marge on a special Air Force plane.
Robert Simpson often asked the Weather Bureau to fund more hurricane research. However, in the early 1950s, there wasn't enough money. This changed after the very destructive 1954 Atlantic hurricane season. This season convinced many lawmakers that better hurricane warnings were needed. So, money was approved to improve the Weather Bureau's system. In 1955, Robert Simpson was chosen to lead the new National Hurricane Research Project.
Developing Storm Science
For the next four years, Simpson worked hard to make sure the National Hurricane Research Project would continue. Once it was stable in 1959, he left to finish his advanced degree in meteorology. He studied at the University of Chicago with his friend, Dr. Herbert Riehl.
After earning his Ph.D. in 1962, he returned to Washington. He became the Weather Bureau's Deputy Director of Research for Severe Storms. He helped create the National Severe Storms Project, which later became the National Severe Storms Laboratory.
Project Stormfury and Hurricane Seeding
In 1961, he received money to study if seeding hurricanes with silver iodide could weaken them. He organized an experiment using planes from the National Hurricane Research Project and the United States Navy. They seeded Hurricane Esther. The results looked promising. This led to the start of Project Stormfury in 1962, with Simpson as its director. He led the project for three years, including the seeding of Hurricane Beulah in 1963.
In 1965, he married Joanne Malkus, who was also a brilliant meteorologist. He convinced her to take over as director of Project Stormfury. He then became the Director of Operations for the Weather Bureau.
Leading the National Hurricane Center
In 1967, Simpson became Deputy Director of the National Hurricane Center (NHC). He reorganized the NHC, making it a separate office. He also created the important role of "hurricane specialist" for the senior forecasters. He directed the NHC from 1968 to 1974.
During this time, he worked with Herbert Saffir to create the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale (SSHS). This scale helps us understand how strong a hurricane is. He also set up a special satellite unit at the NHC. He studied unusual storms called neutercanes and started issuing warnings for subtropical storms. His strong words to Vice President Spiro Agnew after Hurricane Camille helped improve the Air Force and Navy Hurricane Hunter squadrons. It also convinced NOAA to get better planes for hurricane research.
Later Years and Legacy
Robert Simpson retired from government service in 1974. He passed the leadership of the NHC to his deputy, Neil Frank. The Simpsons then moved back to Washington, D.C. They started a weather consulting company called Simpson Weather Associates in Charlottesville, Virginia. Robert also became a Certified Consulting Meteorologist.
Both he and his wife joined the faculty at the University of Virginia. They worked in the Environmental Sciences department. He took part in several international science projects. He also co-wrote a book called "The Hurricane and Its Impacts." Later, he was a senior editor for another book, "HURRICANE! Coping with Disaster."
Robert Simpson was an Honorary Member of the American Meteorological Society (AMS). He was also a Fellow of the Explorers Club of New York. He received Gold Medals from both the U.S. and France. He also received the Cleveland Abbe Award from the AMS. His wife, Joanne, passed away in 2010. Robert Simpson lived in Washington, D.C. until he died after a stroke on December 18, 2014.
Images for kids
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Photo of Simpson in 2013 as a 101 year-old in a NOAA article.
