Erica Marie Simpson

Erica Marie Simpson, 32, of Phillipsburg, N.J., passed away on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008, in Reno, Nev., living her dream.

She was born Oct. 18, 1975, in Washburn, the daughter of Debra Davies and Carri Hoagland.

She graduated from South Shore High School in 1994. Erica graduated with distinction (GPA 4.0), from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla. in December 1999 with her master’s degree in aeronautical science. She started flying at age 15 in Ashland. Erica flew as a captain for Citation Shares, a fractional ownership management company.

Some of her ratings and honors include airline transport pilot, certified flight instructor: airplane single engine land, multi-engine land, instrument and glider, upset altitude recovery/competition aerobatics instructor, private pilot: airplane single engine sea, type rated: citation excel, CJ1 and Beech 1900, Reno National Air Race bi-plane class card holder, Silver Badge: Soaring Society of America, Instructor of the Month Award — Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, October of 2001, and the John Philips Sousa music award for excellence.

Erica piloted 68 different types of aircraft (five of which were flown solo for the first time), flew more than 7,000 hours of accumulated flight time and was featured in several magazines and newspapers. She was a member of the International Aerobatic Club and Experimental Aircraft Association. On Feb. 2, 2008, she married Kendal Simpson, in New Jersey. Erica was proud of her community and loved returning to the area. She also enjoyed the outdoors.

She is survived by her husband, Kendal, Phillipsburg, N.J.; parents, Debra (Thomas) Davies, Port Wing and Carri Hoagland, Port Wing; two sisters, Beth Hoagland, Bayfield and Sarah (Shawn) Ryan, West Bend; two step-brothers, David and Evan Davies; two step-sisters, Emily and Ellyn Davies; paternal grandfather, Clifford Hoagland, Port Wing; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; and a niece on the way.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandmother and maternal grandparents.

A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday at the South Shore High School, with the Rev. Joseph Brygger and the Rev. Tom Blomberg officiating.

Interment will take place in the Greenwood Cemetery in Port Wing.

Visitation will be held from 8-11 a.m. on Saturday at the South Shore High School.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Erica Hoagland Simpson scholarship fund at Security State Bank in Port Wing.

You may find more information on Erica at her Web site, http://riraaerobatics.com.

Arrangements are by the Frost Home for Funerals in Ashland.

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