BOB DOUTHITT  (Mr. Navion)

                    DOUTHITT MEMORIAL AVIATION SCHOLARSHIP

The aviation community of Imperial Valley, California and the many members of The American Navion Society have created this perpetual scholarship in Bob Douthitt’s honor through donations. 

Robert (Bob) Douthitt was born January 7, 1913 in Lakeview, Ohio.  He came to the Imperial Valley with his parents in 1918 and settled in El Centro, California.  His father established Douthitt Steel Company in 1928.  As a young man, Bob was especially interested in auto racing.  However, in 1937, he began flying and airplanes became his lifelong love and vocation.  Bob bought his first airplane, an Arrow Sport, in 1938.  Unable to find a place to park it, he built Douthitt Airport.  

Bob married Faye Prowell, July 3^rd, 1941.  They had two children, Bob Douthitt and Carole Coelho.  In 1942 Bob entered the Army-Air Force as a head mechanic.  He served at Smitey Field Tacna, Arizona; Cedar City, Utah and Beckworth, California.   During that time he earned his instructor rating.  Returning to his airport after World War II, he ran a small auto shop, and joined the family steel business in 1948 until his retirement in 1980.

Navion airplanes were his favorite.  Bob was known as “Mr. Navion”.   He invented many innovations for Navions that received FAA certification.  Bob produced a tape that is now a video titled “The Navion Annual”.  It is invaluable to all Navion owners.

Bob and his wife, Faye, have hosted the Imperial Valley President’s Day Fly-Ins at the Douthitt Airport since 1960.  In his memory, the Douthitt family hosted the 45^th annual the Imperial Valley President’s Day Fly-In in January 2006 at Douthitt Airport.  At the time of Bob’s death on December 10th 2004, at 91 years of age, he was one of the oldest active pilot, flight instructor, and aircraft mechanic.

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