John A. Simpson, 80, aeronautical scientist, passed away peacefully May 23, 2008, at his home in Leesburg, Virginia. Services were held Thursday at the Union Cemetery, Leesburg, Virginia.

Mr. Simpson was born May 18, 1928 in London, England, to Cyril Henry and May (Barker) Simpson. After serving in the British Royal Air Force, he married Suzette Goodchild on August 26, 1950 in Gidea Park, Essex. They moved to the United States in 1966 and lived in Connecticut, California and Virginia.

Mr. Simpson received a M.Sc. (Electrical) and M.Sc. (Mechanical) in 1972 and was employed as an aeronautical scientist with defense and private industry in Europe and the United States for over 40 years, retiring in 1995. Among his accomplishments were investigations in hypersonic control systems, experimentation in manned and unmanned space flight, and research for national defense space programs. He volunteered with the police department in Spalding, England, served as an usher at Christ & Holy Trinity Church, Westport, Connecticut and volunteered in the neighborhood watch program in Leesburg, Virginia.

Mr. Simpson was a Senior member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

In retirement, he enjoyed attending the theater, building his library, gardening and walking his dog, Ripley.

His family agrees: "John was a very kind and friendly person, always analytical and helpful, explaining and making science understandable to others."

He is survived by his wife, Suzette, daughters Sally-Ann, Michele, Jenifer and son-in-law Mark Mugler of Washington, D.C., and son Stuart and his wife Traci of McLean, Virginia, and grandsons Jeffrey Evans-Simpson of London, England, and Joshua Simpson Chartienitz of Langhorne, Pennsylvania. Mr. Simpson was preceded in death by his sister, Margaret.

The funeral service was officiated by the Reverend Daniel Claire, Church of the Resurrection (AMiA), Washington, DC.