Kenneth Alvin Simpler, successful businessman, philanthropist
Kenneth Alvin Simpler of Rehoboth went to be with his Savior Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at his home, just months shy of his 80th birthday. A lifelong resident of Rehoboth Beach, Kenny was known to many throughout the community as a successful business owner, avid outdoorsman, charitable benefactor, active church member, and family patriarch.
Ken attended the Rehoboth public school for his primary and secondary education, and represented the Seahawks for the gold team in the 1962 annual Delaware all-star football game. He was a gifted athlete who earned varsity letters in both football and basketball. He was awarded all-conference and all-state in both sports. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business from Marshall University before returning to Rehoboth to work with his parents in the family business. Kenny is perhaps best known as the second generation of the Simpler family to own and operate the iconic Avenue Restaurant, a Rehoboth landmark, for more than 50 years.
While he started in the restaurant industry, Ken went on to build hotels in Rehoboth (The Avenue Inn and Spa, and Beach View Hotel), Dewey Beach (Atlantic View Hotel), and Nags Head, N.C. (Surf Side Hotel). These properties and others are managed today by Seaboard Hospitality, a management company owned by Ken and members of his immediate family.
He also developed residential real estate, from apartment complexes to housing developments throughout Sussex County, including Salt Pond in Bethany Beach and Pine Bay in Rehoboth. Ken also founded and partnered a boat-building business, F&S Yachts, based out of Bear.
When Kenny was not working or starting a new business, he was passionate about his two main hobbies, fishing and hunting. He was an avid deep-sea fisherman who, over the years, owned and/or captained several boats out of Indian River Inlet, beginning with the Avenue and most recently, the Finominal. He and his crew competed successfully in many offshore tournaments. His love for fishing extended to the Inland Bays, to the Atlantic seaboard (Delaware, Outer Banks), as well as prime fishing spots in South America. His passion for the outdoors included extensive upland game and waterfowl hunting. He was an early and strong supporter of Ducks Unlimited and hosted several of their annual dinners at The Avenue Restaurant. Many of his closest friends knew Kenny best from time spent together on the deck of a boat or a bench in a blind.
Kenny’s greatest love was his family, all of whom are grateful to the community for the incredible outpouring of support that they have received since the news of his passing. He was a loving husband, proud parent, and devoted grandfather.
He is survived by his beloved wife with whom he shared 33 blessed years, Ann (Harrington); her son, Morgan Ellis, daughter-in-law Ryan, and their sons Jayce and Ridge (Milton); his daughter and son-in-law, Kendra and Alex Moore, their children Dakin, Brugh, Brooke and Blair (Rehoboth and Vero Beach Fla.); his son and daughter-in-law, Ken Simpler Jr. and Elizabeth, and their children Blakeley, Gillian and Emmett (Newark). He is also survived by his only sibling, Emme Lou Miller; two brothers-in-law, Lewis Harrington (Millsboro), and John Harrington and wife Amy (Nags Head, N.C); three sisters-in-law, Joan Holsten and Tony (Bear and Rehoboth), Jean Tingle and Ron (Millsboro), and Debra Mundell (Severna Park, Md.); along with many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 29, at The Crossing Church, 15183 Coastal Hwy., Lewes. Friends may call from 3 to 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 28, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Hwy., Lewes. Interment will be private.
The family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to Kenny’s designated charity, Delmarva Christian Schools, 21777 Sussex Pines Road, Georgetown, DE 19947; or Easter Seals, 61 Corporate Circle, New Castle, DE 19720.
Visit Kenny’s Life Memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
