Aviation Legend Bob Hoover – described by Gen. Jimmy Doolittle as the “greatest stick-and-rudder man who ever lived” – passed away earlier today. He was 94.

“Bob Hoover truly personified the ‘pilot’s pilot’ and was deeply beloved in aviation circles,” said Jim Kidrick, President and CEO of the San Diego Air & Space Museum. “He will always hold a special place in our hearts at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, and he will be sorely missed.”

During his lifetime, Hoover flew more than 300 types of aircraft and performed at more than 2,500 civilian and military air shows. Considered one of the founding fathers of modern aerobatics, Hoover was described by Jimmy Doolittle as, “...the greatest stick-and-rudder man who ever lived.” In the Centennial of Flight edition of the Air & Space Smithsonian, he was named the third greatest aviator in history.

During his lifetime, Hoover met many of the biggest names in the history of aviation, including Orville Wright, Charles Lindbergh, Eddie Rickenbacker, Jimmy Doolittle, Neil Armstrong, Yuri Gagarin and more. In 2007, Bob was inducted next to all of those aviation and space luminaries into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. He also is a member of the National Aviation Hall of Fame and a member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots. For his service during World War II, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Soldier’s Medal of Valor and the French Croix to Guerre.

For more information about, and photos of Bob, visit http://sandiegoairandspace.org/press/release/san-diego-air-space-museum-mourns-the-loss-of-bob-hoover