Bobby Eugene Chase

Bobby Eugene (Bob) Chase was born March 23, 1925, in Anna, Illinois. He was the son of Frank Manley Chase and Gladys Beatrice Chase (nee Lentz). He had one older brother, Frank Manley Chase, Jr. Bob had a lifelong interest in flying and aircraft design. He built his first flying wing at age seven.

Bob enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps (later known as the United States Air Force) in 1943. He graduated from Aviation Cadet Pilot Class 44-I in 1944. Bob flew B-17, B-24, B-25, C-46, C-47, and C-54 aircraft. He continued to serve in the United States Air Force for 21 years and served overseas in the Philippines, Korea and Greenland. He spent the last five years of his Air Force career working in the Flying Safety Office of the Military Air Transport Service as an Air Operations Specialist.

Bob retired from the Air Force in 1964 but never lost his love of flying. He was involved in a number of flying organizations, including the Experimental Aircraft Association, the Academy of Model Aeronautics, the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, the United States Ultralight Association, the Homebuilt Sailplane Association, the Sport Flyers of Southern California, and the Ultralight Squadron of America. He served twice as an Ultralight judge at the National Experimental Aircraft Association Fly-in in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and was honored as an Ultralight Pioneer by the United States Ultralight Association in 1996. Bob won his last flying competition at age 81 and continued to fly a small experimental ultralight airplane until retiring as a pilot at age 90.

Bob was selected along with other World War II veterans to participate in an Honor Flight to Washington DC at the age of 92. He is currently recognized on the Wall of Honor at the Udvar-Hazy National Air and Space Museum.

Bob additionally served his community as a member of the Los Angeles County Aviation Commission for 19 years, including a term as Chairman in 2001. He volunteered for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for 15 years and was named Volunteer of the Year in 2013. Bob also served for over 20 years as member of the Board of Directors of the Workman Mill Homeowners Association.

Following his retirement from the military, Bob managed a family-owned board and care facility called Chase Manor for 20 years. He later managed a water company in Maywood, California.

Bob is survived by his wife of 65 years, Loretta Ann Chase (nee DeLaurenti), and four sons: Mark Randal Chase, Terry Lee Chase, Gordon Lee Chase, and Gary Lawrence Chase. He was pre-deceased by his oldest son, Roger Wilke Chase. Bob also has five grandchildren, Grant David Chase, Laura Marie Chase, Hunter Elizabeth Chase, Connor Hikaru Chase, and Evan Isamu Chase.

A funeral service for Bobby will be held Tuesday, May 7, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Rose Hills Memorial Park - Hillside Chapel, 3888 Workman Mill Rd, Whittier, California 90601. Following the funeral service will be a reception from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Rose Hills Memorial Park - GardenView Reception, 3888 Workman Mill Rd, Whittier, California 90601.

Bobby will be laid to rest in Rose Hills Memorial Park, 3888 Workman Mill Rd, Whittier, California 90601; Valley View Lawn; Gate: 17, Section: 5, Lot: 2559, Grave: 3.