Written by AMA staff (072013); Added to HP files by JS (08/2013)

Raymond Beach Smith

Raymond Beach Smith, founder of Hobbies Aloft, passed away at the age of 67. Born August 23, 1945, Ray was from a family of pilots. His grandfather was one of the first flight surgeons in World War I and his father was a B-17 pilot who flew more than 100 missions. Ray started building and flying RC airplanes in his youth. He attained a degree in aeronautical engineering from California Polytechnic State University. He was a Vietnam-era veteran and worked in flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base, Point Mugu, and Fallbrook Naval Station before becoming a teacher.

In 1993, Raymond launched Hobbies Aloft in Marina, California. Through this business he taught hundreds of people to fly, taught local youth classes, and was a consultant on several scientific projects.

Ray valued designing and flying RC airplanes and had recently obtained his pilot’s license. In addition to his passion for flying, Ray enjoyed surfing and was an avid animal lover who rescued more than 50 cats, dogs, and a wide variety of other animals.

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