Claude Lewis Simpson was born in Colton, Washington on December 15, 1906. He received a B.A. degree from Eastern Washington University and a B. Ed. and a M.A. degree from Washington State University (WSU). He taught eight years in public schools in Washington. In 1943, he was appointed Specialist in School Services at WSU. He was appointed the first Director of Admissions at WSU in 1946. In 1953 he became Registrar and Editor of the University Catalog. He was a founding member of the Priest Lake Coalition, Inc. He died in Spokane, Washington, in November 1999.

Catherine Diener Simpson was born near Wilbur, Washington. She attended grade schools in Alberta (Canada) and Washington. She is a graduate of Newport High School, Newport, Washington. She received a teaching certificate from Eastern Washington University and a B.A. degree from Washington State University. She taught grade school in Washington, Alaska, and New South Wales (Australia). During World War II she was secretary to the Dean of Men at WSU. For fourteen years she was Director of the Pullman Private Kindergarten and for three years was Kindergarten Coordinator for the Pullman Public Schools.

Claude and Catherine married on June 13, 1936. They had three children: Jack Simpson, Charles Simpson, and Peggy Simpson Yates, who preceded her father in death.

Claude and Catherine Simpson co-authored two books published by the University of Idaho Press entitled North of the Narrows: Men and Women of the Upper Priest Lake Country, Idaho (1981) and Panhandle Personalities: Biographies from the Idaho Panhandle (1984).