Melvin Chubb Jr.

Melvin 'Nick' Chubb Jr.

Melbourne, FL

Lieutenant General Melvin F. (Nick) Chubb, Jr., USAF (Ret.), passed away Friday, July 25, 2014 after a short illness. Flying airplanes at the age of 14, Nick dropped out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to pursue his passion and entered aviation cadet training with the U.S. Air Force. He received his commission in 1955, entered advanced pilot training in F-86D's, and then was assigned to the 54th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron at Ellsworth AFB. After F-100 combat crew training, Nick served a combat tour of duty in Vietnam as a forward air controller (FAC), locating enemy targets for attack. He went on to serve as the program director for the AGM-65 Maverick Missile System. In 1977 he was assigned to Wright-Patterson AFB, where he managed the development and production of all Air Force aeronautical strategic systems including the Cruise Missile and the B-1 Bomber, which he also flew. He then took command of Electronic Systems Division, Air Force Systems Command, at Hanscom AFB in 1984, overseeing the development of Joint STARS. Nick was a command pilot with more than 5,000 flying hours and wore the missile badge. He completed 500 combat missions with 1,000 combat hours. His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with 16 oak leaf clusters and Air Force Commendation Medal.

After retiring from the U.S. Air Force in 1988, Nick was a Senior Vice President of Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc. in Cincinnati, Ohio until 1999. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors of Empire District Electric Company from 1991 to 2005. Nick was born in Joplin, MO, January 1, 1934 He graduated from Wentworth Military Academy and received a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering from Texas A&M University. He earned a master's degree in astro-engineering from the University of Southern California and in business administration from The George Washington University. He also attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at Fort McNair.

Aside from flying, Nick was an avid water-skier, snow-skier, and golfer. In retirement he settled in Melbourne, FL with his wife of 55 years, Judith, whom he first met when she was 12 years old. He was an equity member of Suntree Country Club and spent much of his time with his grandchildren taking them to surf lessons, the beach, and spending long days at Florida's amusement parks. He even had the opportunity to teach many of them to ride their first two-wheel bikes. His boundless energy, infectious smile, and twinkling eyes will be missed by the many who loved him.

He is survived by his beloved wife, three children, his daughter, Kristy; his son, Brandon, and his wife Diane; his daughter, Courtney, and her husband Ali Jalili, and six grandchildren, Alexandra, Peyton, Rachel, Jason, Brady, and Aidan.

A Celebration of Life will take place Saturday, August 9, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Suntree United Methodist Church. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery. Donations may be made in his name to Moffitt Cancer Center/for Pancreatic Cancer 120902 Magnolia Dr., MBC-FUND, Tampa, Fl. 33612. Share memories and sign the on-line guestbook at beckmanwilliamson.com