Ed "Hub" Hubbard was born in Richmond, VA on June 8, 1933 to Edwin L. Hubbard, Sr. and Sebie Midyette Hubbard. Hub had two younger sisters, Judy (living) and Sharon (deceased). Hub went to high school in Baltimore where he played soccer and lacrosse, and trumpet in the band.

While majoring in pre-Veterinary Science at the University of Maryland, he learned that Air Force veterinarians only inspected meat. So, in 1954 he enlisted in the AF Aviation Cadet program in Harlingen TX. He earned his navigator wings and commission as a 2Lt in 1955, but with the goal of getting his pilot wings. He was fond of saying "I sure didn't want to be a navigator, but with Korea winding down, it was my only choice." He earned his Radar Intercept Officer rating in six months at James Connelly AFB in Waco, TX. At Connelly, Hub met Karen on a blind double date, and asked her out again but she stood him up. Undeterred, Hub persisted, and Karen accepted a second date and eventually a proposal, shortly after Hub PCS'd to Moody AFB GA for F-89 back-seater training. Hub volunteered for a 1-year remote tour at Goose Bay Labrador since this was the surest and shortest ticket to pilot training. Before his remote, Hub and Karen were secretly married to earn married pay to sock away for a wedding. After a year at Goose Bay, Hub and Karen bought a boat instead of a wedding and moved to Hondo Airbase TX for six months of pilot training, then to jet training at Greenville AFB MS where Hub finally received his pilot wings.

After a stop at Moody AFB GA for F-86 instrument training, Hub flew the F-102 for 3 years at Seymour-Johnson AFB NC. Their son Jim was born in Sulphur, LA in 1959. In 1961, Hub flew the F-102 in Soesterberg AB, Holland, and served as the Base Chief of Safety and Flight Commander. 1n 1963, Hub and Karen adopted their son, David, from Germany and smuggled him into Holland in Hub's Porsche 911.

A PCS took the family to Minot AFB ND after a 6-month stop at Tyndall AFB FL for F-106 training. Hub went TDY to Tyndall for six months for Interceptor Weapons Instructor School, the PhD equivalent for interceptor pilots. When he returned, Hub and Karen adopted their daughter, Jane, from Fargo, ND in 1966.

Having explored all the beauty of Minot over 6 winters, Hub volunteered for an assignment in Southeast Asia. He was assigned as an Air Liaison Officer (ALO) and TACP at Danang for the 1st Vietnamese Ranger Group.  Two days before his scheduled flight home after completing his year-long tour in Vietnam, Hub decided to visit "Buzzard," an Aussie Spec Ops friend. On Hill 55 on July 31, 1971, Hub was critically wounded during a surprise enemy assault. He was sent by air evac to the Danang MASH unit for 2.5 weeks, to Tachikawa AB Japan for 2.5 weeks, then to Tyndall for 3 weeks. The Air Force pronounced him cured and put him on convalescent leave for a month. After three months, the flight surgeon put Hub back on flying status after he did one sit-up, one push-up and one pull-up. Hub transferred to Tyndall's F-106 Formal Training Unit as an Instructor Flight Commander, then became Air Defense Weapons Center Chief of Stan/Eval. Hub was unable to pass his flight physical due to complications from his injuries and was medically retired in 1974 with a Purple Heart.

The Hubbards moved to Panama City Beach, FL. Over the next 10 years, Hub travelled to Lackland AFB to have both ankles fused, 2 replacement knees, 3 replacement hips and 27 hip operations. Hub had shrapnel bubbling to the surface throughout his life, as recently as this year. He and Karen spent the next 20 years playing on the water with boats of all sizes, from Zodiacs to 42' Grand Banks, and a 41' sailboat. He and Karen moved to St. Petersburg in 1996. While at St. Pete, they transitioned to RVs and boats, then to RVs and moved to AF Village in 2002.

Hub made his final PCS to heaven on July 29, 2020, surrounded by his family.  He is survived reluctantly by his wife Karen, and by his sons Jim and Dave, daughter Jane, sister Judy, and five grandchildren.

Burial was held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas. He was remembered at a private family service.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation. https://www.blueskiesoftexas.org/giving/donate/