Ralph
Born: 05/14/1909
Died: 06/04/1946
Inducted: 10/14/2006
Robert
Born: 12/15/1906
Died: 02/20/1970
Inducted: 10/14/2006
Robert and Ralph
were brothers born three years apart in 1906 and 1909 respectively.
The Huggins family lived in Honey Creek (Waukesha County) Wisconsin
where Robert developed an interest in aircraft as a young child and
by the age of thirteen was reported to know more about aviation than
anyone in the area. By age 18, in 1925, Bob had built a glider with
the help of his younger brother Ralph. This was the first of several
planes the boys would build. Ralph then built a biplane. It never
flew but Robert reported that they learned many valuable lessons in
the process.
In 1927 Robert and
a partner, George Gerber, acquired a WWI Curtiss Jenny. They
modified the aircraft installing a 42-foot high-lift wing of their
design and construction. This wing was the subject of an article
appearing in the Jan-Feb 1931 edition of Aviation Mechanics magazine
and attracted national attention. Igor Sikorsky, founder of the then
fledgling Sikorksy aircraft company, traveled to Honey Creek to
consult with Robert about the high-lift wing and offered him a
position.
Robert declined the
job offer and continued his work in Honey Creek. Robert, George, and
Ralph then converted the Jenny into a single wing monoplane. It was
in this plane Robert learned to fly. Donations from the community to
support his flying lessons were accepted. After only two lessons,
Robert soloed and returned to Honey Creek where he perfected his
flying and taught his partner and younger brother to fly.
Dean and Dale
Crites, two farm boys who lived near by, took an interest in what
Robert was doing. Robert taught both twins to fly. The Crites would
become successful in aviation in their own right. By 1930, Robert
had obtained the highly valued aviation mechanics and air transport
licenses and became the first flight instructor of the Waukesha
Aviation Club.
He was very active
in supporting the development of aviation locally and throughout the
state participating in air-fairs, air-races, barnstorming, and
performing aerobatics. Robert continued his efforts at flight
instruction, aircraft maintenance and airport management. His
brother Ralph, while also a pilot, was developing skills as a
mechanic while working at an engine shop and later on aircraft. By
the end of the 1930’s, Robert was managing airports with his
brother Ralph working by his side as a mechanic.
During World War
II, Robert became a civilian instructor in the Air Corps and
instructed Air Force and Navy pilot cadets in Georgia and then at
Curtis Wright Airport in Milwaukee. Ralph was conscripted into
service as a civilian mechanic. He served in San Francisco, CA and
later at Curtis Wright Airport.
After the war
years, Robert resumed his airport management, flight instruction,
aircraft maintenance, and support of general aviation. Ralph, while
already an accomplished aircraft mechanic, began instructing more
actively as well. He also began designing a camera for airborne
photography. While instructing a student pilot, Ralph died in an
aviation accident in June, 1946.
Robert continued
his aviation career managing several airports throughout the state.
He came to be considered the voice of experience that pilot’s
sought out when aviation questions arose. Always interested in
making private flying affordable to many people Robert was an early
supporter of the Experimental Aircraft Association and joined as
member #25 in March, 1955.
Robert managed the
Capital Drive Airport in Brookfield, WI from 1955 until his death in
1970. At Robert’s death Dale Crites referred to Robert as “a boy
that’s been the father of aviation in Waukesha County. He rubbed
shoulders with pretty near everybody in the aviation industry in the
Midwest.” For all of his years in flying Robert was known for his
helping the little guy and putting others before himself, often to
his financial detriment. Pilots knew they could get an honest answer
from Bob Huggins.
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Robert Huggins
(Submitted photo)
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