"I met Eric in Denver (1993), while we were in tech school. He was a great guy, and I enjoyed hanging out with him while we were there. After technical school, I was fortunate enough to get sent to Eglin, Afb. Eric got orders there also, and we again spent alot of time together in the dorms as newbies. I lost contact with Eric after I got out of the military in 1997. On the night of 4-25-2011 I got bored and decided to try and find some of my old Air Force buddies. I was deeply saddened when I found some links about Eric's passing. I send my condolences to the family and friends of Eric. Eric was a great friend, and I was very proud of him when I read that he had moved from the enlisted ranks and became a B-52 pilot. Please feel free to contact me via email in the future. Sincerely,Bryan Caldwell"
In loving memory of
Eric Schmidt
February 2, 2011
Funeral Services for Air Force Captain & pilot Eric Schmidt, age 36 will be on Saturday, February 5, 2011 at 11:00 AM at Barksdale Air Force Base Chapel #2 in Shreveport, Louisiana. Burial will take place on Monday, February 7, 2011 at 4:00 PM in the Enid Mennonite Brethren Cemetery in Enid, Oklahoma. Following the burial there will be a celebration of his life service at Enid Mennonite Brethren Church in Enid, Oklahoma at 6:00 PM.
Visitation will take place on Friday, February 4, 2011 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home in Haughton, Louisiana.
Captain Eric "Scorch" Schmidt passed away on February 1, 2011. He was born in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota on December 14, 1974. He grew up in Windom, Minnesota. Following high school, Eric enlisted in the Air Force and became an AC-130 aerial gunner for six years. He attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee, graduating in 2003 with an Industrial Engineering degree. Commissioned through ROTC, Eric began pilot training at Whiting Field near Pensacola, Florida, flying T-34s, and finished at Vance AFB in Enid, Oklahoma where he flew T-38s. While stationed at Vance, Eric met Laura Ediger, and they married on September 22, 2007. The two were stationed in Minot AFB, North Dakota from September 2007 through September 2009 as part of the 23d Bomb Squadron flying B-52s. Eric deployed as part of Pacific Command's Continuous Bomber Presence mission with Minot's Bomber
Barons to Guam in 2009. In September 2009, Eric and his family moved to Barksdale AFB, Louisiana joining the 96th Bomb Squadron. Following a year with the Red Devils, Eric changed squadrons to the Posse, the 2d Operations Support Squadron.
The Lord blessed Eric and Laura with a healthy baby boy named Landon Eric on October 11, 2010.
Eric was a source of inspiration and strength to everyone who crossed his path. He was a pilot, a leader, a brother, a friend, a son, and a father. He will be dearly missed by his wife Laura, son Landon, his parents Bill and Rita Schmidt, brother Gregg, Martha, Will, and Micah, and by a host of family and friends. He was a man who lived devoted to his personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Eric has been a part of Open Door Bible Church since coming to Bossier City.
Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Friday February 4, 2011 at the Hill Crest Funeral Home, 601 Hwy 80, Haughton, LA.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 5, 2011 at Barksdale Air Force Base Chapel 2. Interment will follow on Monday, February 7, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. at the Enid Mennonite Brethren Cemetery in Enid, OK.
Memorials preferred.
Tributes
"Bill, Rita & family, I was in Arizona the last week and a half and was shocked and so sorry to hear of Eric's death. I know the heartache you are feeling. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Bill, I remember your kindness and how you comforted us after our son's death. May your faith bring you the comfort and peace that you need at this difficult time."
"Dear Bill, Rita, Gregg, Laura & family, I can't begin to imagine the heartache you are feeling right now. What a wonderful person he was and he is going to be terribly missed by all who's lives he touched! I was great friends with Gregg in high school and I wanted you to know that my thoughts and prayers are with your family during this very difficult time in your life. God's blessings on you! Emily, Mike, Austin, Carter, & Makayla"
"Bill, Rita, and family. I was so sorry to hear about Eric passing. I can't imagine the loss. He has been raised up on the wings of eagles. I have fond memories of Eric taking part in all venues of the arts. He was a wonderful friend to my daughter, Kelly, and you both were good friends to Craig and me in Windom. I'm praying for you all that God will give you special comfort in this tragic time."
"Bill, Rita and family Our deepest sympathy with the loss of Eric. I will always remember him from Taekwondo. He was always such a gentleman, even from an early age. Please know that you are all in our prayers."
"OH man, I can't believe this! Eric and I were in taekwondo together. He was a great man and a great friend. He will be missed!"
"So sorry to hear of your loss. I didn't know Eric but my son was friends with Greg. So we did know Rita & Bill. You are in my thoughts & prayers. Stay strong. "
"Bill, Rita & family: Our sympathy goes out to you at this time of loss. We so remember how wonderfully you comforted us at the time when we lost our Dad & father-in-law (Glen). We can only hope you are comforted that well. Our thoughts & prayers are with you."
"Rita, Bill and family, My sympathy goes out to all of you. Hope I will be seeing you in the near future. My prayers are with each one of you."
"Dear Bill, Rita and family, Tom and I wish to extend to your family our deepest sympathy for your loss. We thank you for raising a son who served his country and all of us. We pray that our Lord will grant you his peace and comfort knowing your loved one is in his care now and forever. God bless all of you and your families. Tom and Terry Tegels"
"Dear Rita and Bill,and family. I'm sorry I didn't get this in sooner,but please know you we were so sorry to hear about your son's passing! I can't even imagine what you must be gjoing through?! It sounds like he left quite a legacy,and even though I (Linda) didn't know him, I know he was blessed to have you two as his parents! And our hearts and prayers go out to you and all the family. It sounded like Eric was a wonderful man! May God bless you all and give you peace and comfort in these days ahead, and may Eric rest in Jesus' arms,in eternity. Love, Dan & Linda"
"Dear Rita, Bill, Gregg & family, Laura & Landon,
I am saddened to hear of Eric's passing. He accomplished so much in his short time here on earth. Blessed be his memory. He has now reached the ultimate goal of each of us - to be with Jesus - no more pain, no more tears. My prayers to all of you."
"Bill, Rita & Family we would like to extend our
deepest sympathy for you loss of Eric, He was an out standing young man! "
"Praise the Lord, Eric's flying high."
"Rita and Bill--we were shocked and saddened to hear of your loss. We remember sitting at your dining room table in Windom and listening to you talk about Eric, and how proud you were of him. We can hardly imagine what you must be going through. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you and the rest of your family."
"Our son Brent and Eric graduated together and Brent's youngest daughter is a month older than Eric's little one. Our deepest sympathy to the Schmidt family. Jean and Don Hoppe "
"Bill, Rita, & Family, We are so sorry to hear of the death of your son, Eric. We are not suppose to have to bury our children....we cannot imagine how your hearts are aching. Please know that you are in our thoughts prayers and you have our heartfelt sympathy. "
"I am weeping now with the recent news of this untimely death. I am so proud, humbled and grateful for Eric's service to our country. I too have many memories from Tae Kwon Do. I hope you, Bill, are ok. How could you be? But I will pray for his wife and new son. God's blessing on you all during this painful time. "
"Our sympathy and prayers to you and Eric's family. I had the privilege of being part of Eric's life by having him in my homeroom when he was a sixth grader in the old BARC building. We will think of him whenever a jet flies overhead. May God give you peace. Don and Esther Kalash"
"Schmidt Family: I was shocked and sadden to read the passing of Eric. I have been following his caringbridge site, which has been WONDERFUL to follow and be part of..Thank you for sharing that with us. Know that you are not alone in your loss, we are grieving with you in loosing a GREAT man whose has done so much for his family and country. Hold on to your memories, keep your family and friends close as they will help you through the difficult times. Wrapping you in HIS arms. Thoughts and prayers are going out for you today and in the difficult days to come. God bless you."
"Dear Bill & Rita, I have know you for years, but never had the honor of meeting you son. Reading his obituary make me more proud to have served in the Air Force. It is young men like Eric who defend our country that helps us sleep better at night. I am so very sorry for your loss and send not only you but his famly my most sincere condolences. God Bless Eric's Memory, you, his family and the many young men who like Eric, put our countries needs ahead of their own. "
"Our deepest sympathy to all the family and May God put his loving arms around you and hold you close ..Cherish all the special memories you have had together"
"Our deepest sympathy to all of you, May God put his loving arms aroun"
"We will always remember Eric and Gregg spending time at our house and all the great boating days we had with the Schmidt family. We are so sorry for the loss that your family is dealing with. I am sure you are also grateful for the wonderful memories you have of a great guy.
Blessings to all of you, Laura, Landon, Bill, Rita, Gregg & family.
God be with you all."
"I'm so sorry to hear about Eric. My fondest memories of him were from Tae Kwon Do. He and I (and Bill) were in the inaugural class in Windom under the instruction of Rex Benz. Eric was very much a stand out student and progressed through the belt classes very quickly. I never mentioned it, but I was always highly impressed by his abilities and positive attitude. I definitely learned a thing or two from Eric. Even though I've not spoken to him in many years, I'll miss him and mourn the loss of a truely inspiring individual. My deepest sympathies to his family."
"Bill, Rita,Greg, We were sorry to here of the passing of Eric, Loved seeing him when he came to Windom. He is a great and neat kid and will be missed. Will think of him whenever we hear a Jet fly over. Peace be with you."
"Bill and Rita and family We send out sympathy to you and your family. "
"So very sorry to hear the news of Eric, our deepest sympathy & prayers are with you all... "
"Bill, Rita and family, we send our sympathy for you loss. Eric will be missed so much, but knowing he is painfree and in God's arms helps some. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers for peace during this difficult time, and the days ahead."
"Bill, Rita and family, Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and your family. You took such good care of us when we lost our Eric. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Losing a child is truly one of the most painful things in life. Cherish the memories."
"Dear Bill and Rita, We're so sorry to hear of your loss of Eric. Please know that we are sending you our love and healing prayers."
"Bill, Rita, Greg and all of Eric's family, Please know that our prayers are with all of you during this very difficult time. We are so happy for Eric as he is back with his Maker. To us here we will all miss the "gentle"man! "
"BILL & RITA SO VERY SORRY FOR YOU LOSS. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY."
"Family of Eric: My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Eric was a very good man and even though it has been years he will be missed. Keep memories and special moments close and know prayers are with you all."
"Eric's life was short, but his memory is huge. My heart goes out to you with great appreciation for the gift of Eric."
"Bill, Rita & Family, We are so sorry to hear about Eric's death. We cannot imagine your loss but please know that we pray that God will give you immeasurable strength through this time of loss. We know we are just sojourners and Heaven is our eternal home and death isn't saying "Goodbye" but saying "See you Later." May God comfort you and surround you with His everlasting love. Our prayers are with you."
"Our sympathy to all of Eric's loved ones. He will be missed by his many friends, he was an outstanding person with a love of life."
"Laura, Bill, Rita & Gregg, I am so sorry to hear of Eric's passing. Eric was a good friend to many in this world, and he had a profound impact on this earth for the short time he was with us. Eric's pursuit of his dreams led him to a life filled with accomplishment; and in the end, he has left an amazing legacy in his son Landon. Eric's brave battle with cancer is over, and through his faith he has found peace. We will all miss him dearly. You are in my thoughts.
Rest in peace my friend, until we meet again?"
"Didn't know your son, but your family has my deepest sympathy."
"Bill, Rita, and Greg, We are so sorry to hear about Eric. He was such a sweetheart and accomplished so much in his short time. I can remember clear back to middle school his plans and artwork focused on his dreams of joining the air force and being a pilot. He did it! There is so much to be proud of him for and so many wonderful memories he leaves behind. Our prayers are with you and his family during this difficult time....Kelly and Pat"
"Bill, Rita and family, We were so sorry to hear about Eric. Our heart goes out to you. We are so thankful for his service to our country. Our sincere sympathy and know that God has him in his hands and also feel his love surrounding you."
"Rita and Bill We are so sorry of the loss of your beloved son,Eric. We rejoice with Eric as he is without pain and with his Heavenly Father! Our prays are with you."
"Bill, Rita and Greg: I could not believe it when I read of your enormous loss. Know that we are grieving with you and for you. Our hearts go out to all of you. Blessed be his wonderful memory. Jen and Dean"
"Bill, Rita, Laura, Landon My thoughts and prayers have been with you always and will continue to be with you. God provided healing for Eric, it just wasn't in the form we wanted. Please if there is anything at all, please ask. Its with faith that we know we can say, good bye for now till later. "
"Rita & Bill, We are thinking of you at this difficult time in your lives. May all of your memories of Eric help you through this time. We would also like to express to you the appreciation for the service Eric gave to his country, we need to show these men and women how much their military service means to us. "
"We were so very sorry to hear of Eric's passing. Our deepest sympathy to all the family. God's peace, comfort and blessings to you."
"Rita and Bill - I am so sorry your loss. I will always remember Bill for his wonderful care of my mother, and his generous kindness to our family. Please know that my heart goes out to you."