In Memoriam: Adjunct Professor Robert Liebeck

Jan. 15, 2026 - Robert H. Liebeck, UC Irvine adjunct professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and a world-renowned authority in the fields of aerodynamics, hydrodynamics and aircraft design, died on Jan. 12, 2026. He was 87 and passed away peacefully surrounded by family.

Liebeck was one of the most distinguished aerospace engineers and aerodynamicists of his generation. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he made foundational contributions to aircraft design and aerodynamic theory. He was best known for his pioneering Liebeck airfoil designs and for leading Boeing’s Blended Wing Body (BWB) program, a legacy that has had a lasting impact on both academic research and practical aircraft development. Unlike traditional aircraft with distinct cylindrical fuselages and separate wings, the BWB seamlessly integrates these components into a single, unified lifting surface. This revolutionary concept promises dramatic improvements in fuel efficiency and environmental performance.

In 2023 the U.S. Air Force tasked California-based startup JetZero with building and flying a full-scale BWB prototype, with a target flight date in 2027, aimed at creating a more fuel-efficient aircraft for both military and commercial use. Major U.S. air carriers, including United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Alaska Airlines, have partnered with JetZero on this development. Liebeck served as a technical advisor for the project.

He also designed aerodynamic wings for Indianapolis 500 and Formula One racing cars, as well as the keel for the 1991 America’s Cup winning yacht and the wing for a World Aerobatics Championship airplane.

Liebeck was a long-standing member of the National Academy of Engineering and recognized with many of the highest honors in his profession, including the 2005 Spirit of St. Louis Medal, 2010 Daniel Guggenheim Medal, 2010 AIAA Honorary Fellowship, 2012 Brigadier General Charles E. Yeager International Aeronautical Achievements Award, and an inductee of the 2019 International Air & Space Hall of Fame. 

In addition to his technical accomplishments, Liebeck was deeply committed to education. He served as Professor of the Practice of Aeronautics at MIT and, for over 25 years, on the UCI engineering faculty, where he taught courses in aerodynamics, aircraft performance and design, and advised students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. He served as faculty mentor for the Design/Build/Fly and Human-Powered Airplane teams.

In a 2023 interview at UCI, Liebeck shared why he felt teaching was the most rewarding aspect of his career. “When I teach and finish a lecture here at UCI, I feel like I’ve moved the needle in the right direction so it’s my favorite job.”

“Many of us knew Bob not only as a world-renowned engineer but as a generous colleague and mentor,” said Julián Rimoli, professor and chair of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. “He was always willing to engage in thoughtful discussion, offer guidance to junior faculty and students, and support collaborative work across disciplines. His insights and counsel helped shape the careers of many in our community, and his influence will continue through the students and faculty he inspired. We mourn the loss of a remarkable scholar, a dedicated teacher, and a valued member of our faculty. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.”

– Lori Brandt