Rami Harpaz

Rami Harpaz was born in 1939 in Herzliya

Harpaz was born in Herzliya in 1939 to Shifra and Shlomo Harpaz. His brother Amos Harpaz became an astrophysicist. He grew up in Kibbutz Mishmar HaEmek and Kibbutz Hazorea, and as a youth joined the Israel Aviation Club and the Air Force youth movement.

He joined the IDF in 1956 and finished pilot course 25 in 1958. He flew Ouragan, Mystere and Super Mystere jets, worked as a flight instructor and left regular service in 1961. In the Six Day War he flew Ouragans with the 107th Squadron and took part in 24 sorties.

He then returned to permanent service and flew Mirage, Skyhawk and Phantom jets in the War of Attrition. On June 30, 1970, a missile hit his Phantom over Egypt and he ejected. In prison in Cairo he was interrogated and tortured, led the Israeli prisoners there and helped translate The Hobbit into Hebrew.

He was freed in November 1973 and went back to flying. He led a squadron, was deputy commander of Etzion base and commanded Ramat David base from 1977 to 1980. He served in the reserves until 2016.

After leaving the IDF he was CEO of the Plastopil-Hazorea plant for 6 years. He lived in Kibbutz Hazorea with his wife Nurit, and they had 5 children. He died in 2019.