In the summer of 1952, Bob and Jan Simpich got married and moved to Colorado straight away from their home state of Missouri. That first summer in Colorado left a real impression on my grandfather Robert (Bob) Simpich. He would often recount to me how they struggled to make ends meet. He would describe how he would sit on Main Street in Manitou and do quick portrait drawings for pocket change, and how he got a summer job driving tours up the Pikes Peak Highway while my Nana Jan worked hosiery at Hibbard's Department Store downtown. They were doing anything they could to make it to the fall when Robert Simpich would start his teaching position. I always noted how amazed my grandfather seemed that they made it through that first summer, and the glint of nostalgia in his eyes upon remembering it.

Woman at the Well was the final design completed by Janice Simpich—a fitting culmination of 54 years of creating Simpich Character Dolls. That alone makes her a remarkable part of the Simpich story.

This collection remains one of the most intricate and challenging designs ever undertaken by Bob and Jan Simpich.
Enjoy this 2019 video, where David Simpich shares the rich history and craftsmanship behind this unique Simpich Thanksgiving Collection.

In the mid-1980s, Jan and Bob Simpich were invited to design a special doll to honor the winners of the 1988 U.S. Women’s Figure Skating Championship, held in Denver. Jan turned to a deeply personal inspiration: her sister, Evelyn Jane.

Back in 2020, during lockdown, we made the decision to sit down and interview Robert Simpich about the entire story of the Simpich Character Dolls. I’m so excited to finally be able to share this interview with you all and give a firsthand perspective on the incredible story of Robert and Janice Simpich.

So, without further ado, please enjoy this firsthand account of the beginning of the Simpich Dolls.

When you're looking back at the story of the Simpich Character Dolls, it might seem odd to start with one of the final pieces ever created. But Moses, released in 2002, isn't just a beautiful doll—he's a masterclass in everything that made Robert and Janice Simpich’s work so special.