Charles W. Lobb

Charles W. Lobb (1932-2026)

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Charles (Chuck) Lobb, who peacefully departed from this life on January 14, 2026 at the age of 93. Chuck was born on December 10, 1932, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Lloyd and Urazelle Lobb.

Chuck lived most of his childhood in Winnetka, IL and while he was attending New Trier High School he earned his ham radio license. The family moved to Deephaven, MN where he graduated from Deephaven High School in 1950. Chuck was the senior class president, earned honors in the National Honor Society and National Athletic Scholarship Society (football and track) and played clarinet in the band.

While a member of the Air Force ROTC, Chuck earned his Bachelors of Electrical Engineering from the University of Minnesota in 1955 along with a commission as 2nd Lt., USAF Reserve. After a short postponement while he completed a military contract on the Greenland Ice Cap, Chuck served Active Duty with the Air Force from 1956 - 1958.

Chuck began employment as an electrical engineer with Hughes Aircraft in Los Angeles in 1958 while simultaneously serving as an active reservist with the 303rd Air Rescue Squadron, Long Beach Municipal Airport (1958-1960). He met his wife Charlotte Jane (Carter) Lobb in October 1960 while playing clarinet and tenor saxophone in several community orchestras and a concert band. They were married August 9, 1961. In June, 1968 Chuck earned his Masters in Electrical Engineering degree at the University of Southern California. Retiring in 1988, he spent nearly 30 years with Hughes Aircraft as Assistant Director of Technical Education and Corporate Director. In 1980 he also completed his FCC examinations for Amateur Radio Extra Class license KN6H.

As a long-time Torrance resident, Chuck did extensive research on the history of the Torrance Airport (Lomita Flight Strip). He compiled much of the information and pictures into a book: "Images of Aviation--Torrance Airport." As an aviation historian and author, Air Force officer, flight instructor and pilot he was honored with the Chuck Lobb viewing platform at the Torrance Airport. From 1988-2007 he was instrumental in developing the Torrance Amateur Radio Association (TARA) and its partnership with the City of Torrance emergency communications team. In 2007, Chuck wrote a handbook on disaster preparedness for Torrance residents.

Chuck is remembered for all of his accomplishments as well as his quick wit, his love for cats, his “lektures” and story telling. He is predeceased by his wife, Charlotte, and sister Barbara Costigan. He is survived by his two daughters: Carolyn (Tim) Jerry and Patricia (Tom) Dunlap, his five grandchildren: Rachel, Andrew, Christopher, Ryan, and David and two great-grandchildren: Levi and Annabelle.

Memorial donations can be made to the Southern California Historical Aviation Foundation, Western Museum of Flight. https://wmof.com/donate/