Aviation Legend Passed Away Early Tuesday

The tributes and remembrances for Bob Hoover, who passed away early Tuesday morning in California, continue to pour in from aviation organizations across the spectrum.

"Bob Hoover brought great richness to the aviation experience, and he leaves behind a legacy of heroic caring and sharing with the general aviation community. He will be deeply missed," said AOPA president Mark Baker. "The first time I met Bob, I was seated next to him at an aviation event, my 8-year-old son by my side. Bob both spoke and listened to his aviation dreams. He offered encouragement and some great stories. And though my son is long since grown, neither he nor I have ever forgotten that an aviation legend gave a child who dreamed of flying his full attention and encouraged him to dream even bigger. Bob Hoover was so much more than a great pilot. He was a great man and a model for what our community can and should be. We are honored to be able to perpetuate his legacy through the Bob Hoover Trophy." - AOPA President Mark Baker

The Bob Hoover Trophy was first presented by AOPA and other aviation industry groups and leaders to Hoover at the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in April and will be awarded annually by AOPA to “a living aviator who exhibits the airmanship, leadership, and passion for aviation and life demonstrated by R. A. ‘Bob’ Hoover during his distinguished career as a pilot and aviation advocate while also serving as a source of inspiration and encouragement for current and prospective aviators.”

“The death of Bob Hoover is a tremendous loss to the entire aviation community,” said GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce (pictured). “Bob was a great friend and mentor to countless aviators in the military, manufacturing, test pilot, and airshow segments of our profession. No one else in history has had his ‘hands’ and knowledge of how to maximize the performance of an aircraft in all corners of the envelope. Bob inspired multiple generations to reach for the sky and the stars, and those of us who had the privilege of knowing him will never forget what a kind gentleman Bob was to all.

“Even as Bob’s health declined in recent years, he rallied to attend every aviation event he could and spent numerous hours sharing his experiences and his aviation prowess with aspiring pilots, passing along his love and passion for aviation to future generations. As the United States prepares to remember the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor in December, Bob will particularly be in our hearts and thoughts as the embodiment of our nation’s ‘greatest generation.’"

“Aviation is mourning one of its greatest – Bob Hoover,” stated NATA President Martin H. Hiller. “Bob Hoover’s achievements are legendary and he was generous in sharing his passion and knowledge of flight, inspiring several generations to go out and learn to fly. NATA was proud to be a part of the industry’s tribute to Bob Hoover where the aviation community gathered to pay their respects to this champion of aviation.  Bob’s legend as a talented pilot, airshow performer and mentor will live on through the countless friends, colleagues and fans he touched over the years.”

"CJP (Citation Jet Pilots) joins with the worldwide aviation community today in mourning the loss of R. A. "Bob" Hoover, who was not only one of the greatest and most talented aviators of all time, but also a wonderful gentleman whose wisdom and spirit inspired millions of lives," said CJP Executive Director Andrew Broom. "It's fair to say that anyone who ever had the privilege of flying with Bob, saw him perform at an airshow, or who heard him speak, was affected tremendously by the experience.”

Broom further noted that CJP will continue to honor his legacy through the Bob Hoover Presidential Scholarship program, offered in partnership between CJP and the Bob Hoover Legacy Foundation to assist students attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in continuing their aviation studies, and to help launch their own legacies within the industry. "Bob Hoover was the world's greatest example of being ‘The Greatest Example’ to others,” added CJP Director Tracy Forrest, who worked with Hoover to develop the scholarship program.

(Source: Association statements. Images from file)

FMI: www.aopa.org, www.gama.aero, www.nata.aero, www.citationjetpilots.com