Robert E. Hoh passed away July 11, 2003 in Fort Thomas, Kentucky. He was Harley-Davidson’s secret weapon for many years during the Fifties, Sixties, and early Seventies. He was also Cal Rayborn, Sr.’s personal technical advisor during his roadracing career and later while he contested the Land Speed Record attempts at Bonneville. Bob’s privateer years as a team owner and technician dominated Class C AMA flattracks. His riders in those years read like a roster of the all-time greats. Bart Markel, Everrett Brashear, Joe Masairos, and the heralded Cal Rayborn, Sr. All got their beginnings riding Bob Hoh’s black and flamed entries.

Seldom photographed, he preferred his riders to receive the laurels; however he can be seen on page 128 of American Racer 1940-1980 by Stephen Wright (Megden Publishing Company, 1986) in a rare appearance with the winner’s circle at Cal Rayborn’s request. In recent years he had assisted numerous racing efforts in the Historic Categories He possessed a seldom understood genius, that of ultimate talent.

As the father of Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara, Roberto Guevara once said, “The only aristocracy I believe in, is the aristocracy of talent.” In that, Bob Hoh was King. He will be greatly missed.

— Tim Kast