Wolsey Adolphus Semple 1926-2021 Wolsey Adolphus Semple, loving father, grandfather, relative, educator and friend, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2021 at his home in Washington, DC.
He was born in Lichfield, a village in British Guiana (later becoming Guyana after independence). He was the last survivor of six children of Edward Bristol Semple and Charlotte Wade Duke. He immigrated to the United States in the 1950s, and graduated from Howard University and MIT.
He taught at Howard from 1963 until retiring as Professor Emeritus in 1999. Notably, he was instrumental in founding the Computer Science Department, and was its first Chairman. He was key to introducing the undergraduate degree program in Systems and Computer Science and also introduced the M.S. degree program in Computer Sciences.
He was beloved by students and colleagues alike due to his passion for academia and his sparkling sense of humor. He was an enthusiastic booster of the Howard Soccer Team and received a special award for his contributions. He remained active in the Howard community and continued to attend various events and commemorations.
He was also an accomplished entrepreneur in real estate and systems consulting. He travelled extensively around the world, visiting his many relatives, and attending tennis and soccer tournaments, such as Wimbledon and the World Cup.
He was an avid tennis fan and player, playing almost daily well into his 80’s. He co-founded the Semple Foundation in 1989, and was active in family reunions and renewal projects in his hometown in Guyana. He will be remembered as a fun loving, energetic and generous man who lived a full and happy life.
He will continue to be an inspiration to his family and friends for generations. He is survived by his son, Jeremy Semple, daughter, Eva Semple Davis, and grandchildren, Nicholas and Savannah Davis, and many beloved Semple relatives around the word.
He will be remembered in a small service for immediate family and close friends at the Marshall March Funeral Home in Washington D.C. on February 3.
A virtual Celebration of Life will be held on February 6, so that all of his many friends and family can participate. A memorial service will also be held by the Semple Foundation at the St. Judes Anglican Church, Lichfield, Guyana.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that contributions be made to “Annual Fund Scholarships” at Howard University, giving.howard.edu. Please include “In memory of Prof. Wolsey Semple” for reference.
