George Hise II

George Eokars Hise II, a decorated Navy fighter pilot and retired United Airlines captain, died on Thursday on the 16th hole of a golf course in Napa, Calif. He was 74.

George was born in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Donald William Hise and Jane Boiler Hise, of pioneer stock whose ancestors immigrated from England, Scotland, and Germany as early as 1639. At 17, he joined the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., and graduated in 1964. In Navy flight training he flew the T-34, T-2, F9F, and the F-11 before receiving his wings of gold in October 1965.

He flew the F-8 Crusader from 1965 until 1969 with the VF-53 for two combat terms in Vietnam aboard the USS Hancock (1967) and the USS Bon Homme Richard (1968). George’s brother James Hamilton Hise, a pilot in the same squadron, was killed in 1967 in the Gulf of Tonkin and is listed on the Vietnam War Memorial.

George continued to fly after his brother’s death and left Vietnam with 169 combat missions, the Distinguished Flying Cross, 14 air medals, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V”, Vietnamese Gallantry Cross, and other awards and commendations. As lieutenant during his second combat tour, he was a tactics instructor and landing signal officer. He was later an instructor in VF-124 in Fightertown at the Naval Air Station Miramar, Calif. (Top Gun).

He retired from the Navy in 1969 and joined United Airlines. He was furloughed in 1971 and became an account executive with Merrill Lynch in Des Moines and Rotterdam, Holland, until he was recalled to United. He met his wife Patricia in Brussels, Belgium in 1974 and they moved to Napa in 1977 to raise their children.

George was active in the Air Lines Pilots Association as local chairman of the retirement and insurance committee and elected as captain representative and council chairman for nearly 1500 United pilots in San Francisco.

In retirement, he was happiest on the golf course with “the Captains” where they let him continue as commanding officer, loyal friend, and instigator of political debate and jokes. He never met a human or canine he didn’t like and could talk to anyone about any subject. His family and many friends will miss his humor, his intellect, his larger-than-life personality, and his steady presence.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Patricia Olive Hise, children William Hamilton Hise and Sarah Jane Hise Staats, his sisters Victoria Hise Morelock and Elizabeth Scott Hise Merwin, daughter-in-law Brenna Aileen Hise, son-in-law Steven William Staats, granddaughters Stella Rose Hise and Clara Marie Hise, and grandsons Sebastian George Staats and Gus Scott Staats.

Funeral services and reception will be held October 14, 2016 at 11:00 am at Tulocay Cemetery in Napa. The family requests any donations be made in George’s name to Southeastern Guide Dogs in support of their Paws for Patriots program. Additional memories and photos may be shared at www.georgehise.com.

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