[Weathermark]WYC Weathermark: Special Edition

[dallas johnson]

WYC Weathermark, August 28th, 2008

The sailing community lost a dear friend today with the passing of Charlie
Erickson.

His private airplane fell below radar outside of the Grand Marais airport
this afternoon and the plane wreckage was found later in the day. Charlie is
survived by his wife Carolyn and his three children.

Charlie's sister-in-law Katherine was also lost in the flight. Her two young
children survived the crash with what are thought to be minor injuries. At
this time we have very few details.

Charlie has been a mainstay of local sailing, the WYC, and the Apostle
Islands for over 30 years with a series of boats named Quintessence. He has
been one of (if not the) most important people to Lake Superior racing
during the last three decades. There is hardly a sailboat racer on the lake
who does not know or has not sailed with Charlie at some time or another.
All of us who race on Superior owe Charlie a great debt. A friend, a
competitor, a mentor, a volunteer, a leader.

This Saturday night all friends are invited to Tom's Burnt Down Bar on
Madeline Island. Also on Sunday Quintessence will at least start the race at
Bayfield, and all current and past members of the "Q" family are encouraged
to come sail. Please bring your own life jacket as we expect the boat to be
very crowded.

The WYC family sends its condolences to Charlie's family and to the extended
"Q" family.

Please visit the WYC forum to leave your personal thoughts regarding
Charlie, and visit the WYC web site for additional details regarding
services.  http://www.wyc.org/discuss/default.htm

Sincerely,
dallas


____________________________________________________
Associated Press

GRAND MARAIS, MINN. -- Two adults were killed and two children were injured
when a small plane crashed Thursday morning near Grand Marais on the North
Shore of Lake Superior.

The Cook County Sheriff's Office received a report just after 11 a.m. that
the Federal Aviation Administration had lost contact with a four-passenger
Beechcraft Baron airplane.

The plane was located in a wooded area north of the Cook County Airport
about 4 p.m. Two adults were found dead. The injured children were taken to
the Grand Marais Hospital. Their conditions were not known Thursday night.

The victims' names are being withheld pending notification of family
members.