Claude Isaac Hobson

age of 93 in Omaha after a

brief illness. He is survived

by his son Dr. David Hobson

(Jackie); daughter Claudia

Hobson-Howard; and son

Richard Hobson; grandchildren,

Vandi Nall (Todd) and

Valerie Balldin (Fredrik);

great-grandchildren, Cambria

Nall, Bristol Nall, Camilla

Balldin and Colette

Balldin. Close friend, flight companion

and aircraft owner, Stephanie Branch.

Preceded in death by parents R.T. and

Opal Hobson; brother Darrel A. Hobson;

sister-in-law Norma Hobson; and exwife

Leah F. Hobson.

Lt. Col. Hobson was born April 1, 1923

in Casper, Wyoming and grew up in

Independence, Kansas. He enlisted in

the U.S. Army Air Corps on December

15, 1942 in Independance, Kansas and

married Leah F. Applebaugh in 1945.

He received a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical

(Aero) Engineering from Kansas

State University in 1949 and then

returned to service in the US Air Force

where he completed a 33-year career

serving as a pilot, navigator, bombardier

and intelligence officer in 1975.

During his career, he was stationed

in the Pacific, (various locations during

WWII as well as multiple tours in

Vietnam), Texas, California, Nebraska,

Oklahoma, England and Morocco. Some

of the many military aircraft he flew, or

navigated or served with included the

T-6, AT-7, AT-10, T-34, B-17, B-25, B-26,

B-36, B-47, B-52, RAF Canberra, RAF Vulcan

and SR-71. He was an award winning

master navigator and immediately

prior to retiremen, he was a Strategic

Air Command Division Chief and received

many military commendations

and decorations including the Bronze

Star Medal.

After retiring, Claude continued to pursue

his passion for flying and enjoyment

of playing golf. He served as the

Chief Pilot for Offutt AFB Aero Club,

Nebraska Civil Air Patrol as well as private

businesses with corporate aircraft

at Eppley Airfield, Nebraska and as a

freelance flight instructor for advanced

pilot ratings out of the Plattsmouth Nebraska

Airport, until his death. He was

a member of the Aircraft Owner and Pilots

Association.

Claude’s passion for flying was the central

theme of his life from age 5 to the

end. He was also preceded in death by

his best friend since childhood, Samuel

L. (Lou) Wallick, the former chief test pilot

and director of flight test for Boeing

Aircraft (B-52, 707, 727, 737, 747, 757, and

767) with whom he shared a lifelong

close friendship and love of flying. He

leaves behind a legacy of enthusiasm,

hard work, history and encouragement

to all who knew him, especially those

who were his students and those interested

in flying. He will be missed by his

family, his friends and his many former

students, now exceptional pilots, who

share his experience and remember his

joy of aviation.

MEMORIAL SERVICES will be held Saturday,

May 7th at 2pm at the Plattsmouth,

NE Airport. (for further details

on location please call 402-291-6290)

Inurnment will be at Arlington National

Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations

to the American Lung Assn. or Air Force

Aid Society.

Arrangements under the direction of Kahler Dolce Mortuary, Papillion, NE.