Hans-Ekkehard Bob (* January 24, 1917, in Freiburg im Breisgau; † August 12, 2013 ibid) was a German air force officer during World War II and later an entrepreneur.
Youth:
Hans-Ekkehard was the son of the leather manufacturer Karl Bob and his wife Luise. He spent his childhood as the only son with four sisters in Staufen im Breisgau. He began gliding as a high school student and successfully passed the Abitur examination in Freiburg im Breisgau in 1936. He then joined the Air Force as an officer candidate and was trained as a pilot. In 1938, Bob was promoted to lieutenant and transferred to Fighter Squadron 334.
World War II:
During World War II, Bob was assigned to various fronts and senior positions. Among others, he flew in the well-known fighter squadrons 51 and 54. Towards the end of the war, he was still retrained on the then revolutionary Messerschmitt Me 262, the world's first operational and mass-produced jet aircraft.
Bob ended the war with the rank of major after some 700 missions, scoring 60 aerial victories.
Postwar:
After the end of the war, Hans-Ekkehard Bob initially eked out a living as a hauler of small transports. After the currency reform in 1948, he carried out some transports for a drilling machine company. As a result of this contact, Bob himself got involved in the production of drilling machines and in 1956 founded his own company, Bomag Bohrmaschinen und Geräte GmbH. & Co. KG in Celle. Due to the order situation, worldwide operations took place. In the early 1990s, he sold his company and retired from business.
Hans-Ekkehard Bob resumed flying as a private pilot and was one of the founders of the Celle Aviation Association in the 1950s. Even at the age of over 90, he could be found at the controls himself.
On August 12, 2013, Hans-Ekkehard Bob passed away in his hometown of Freiburg im Breisgau.
Awards:
Iron Cross (1939) II and I Class.
Cup of Honor for special achievement in the air war on September 28, 1940
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on March 7, 1941
German Cross in Gold on December 24, 1942
