For Leonard Simpson, teaching and supporting education have been at his core for more than 50 years. He’s contributed to Beaverton Education Foundation every year for the past two decades because of its broad reach and impact across Beaverton, and he’s inspired his son to get involved in BEF, too.
Leonard and his late wife, Lenore, moved to Beaverton more than 50 years ago. He began teaching at Portland State University, where he spent more than 28 years as a beloved biology professor focusing on zoology and animal biology. She taught in the Beaverton School District for 34 years. Leonard’s love for travel — all told, he’s visited 50 countries — brought him on marine biology research trips to the far reaches of the world, like a lake in Palau filled with non-stinging jellyfish, and on many leisure trips with his son, Eric.
Eric grew up going to Beaverton public schools and graduated from Sunset High School. Following in his parents’ footsteps, he got involved in public education and was elected to the Beaverton School Board in 2015. Last year, Eric became the Beaverton School Board liaison to BEF’s board of directors.
Leonard says he often donated to causes related to Eric’s education as he was growing up. Since 2003, he has made a contribution to BEF nearly every year, including several gifts during Answer the Call, BEF’s annual fall fundraiser.
“Education is important to me since I lived it and loved teaching,” Leonard says. “I’m very interested in supporting the education systems that my family has been involved in. Given our ties to Beaverton public schools, donating to BEF is of major importance because it’s doing impressive work helping students across all Beaverton schools.”