Bob Buquor

Bob Buquor was a pioneering freefall photographer and cinematographer whose artistic vision and technical innovations helped shape the visual identity of skydiving in the 1960s. Widely considered one of the most influential figures in the early development of skydiving cinematography, Buquor’s work captured iconic formation jumps, brought the sport to mainstream television audiences, and inspired generations of camera flyers who followed in his path.

Bob began skydiving in 1958 at Lake Elsinore, California, during a time when the sport was in its infancy and evolving rapidly. As an early adopter of freefall photography, he developed new techniques to document complex maneuvers in the sky. Between 1964 and 1965, he captured a series of milestone formation jumps, including the first 4-way, 5-way, 6-way, and 8-way “stars.” His photograph of the six-man star over Arvin became a widely published image and a symbol of the sport’s progression.

Bob’s influence extended into television and film. In 1964, he filmed the international parachuting championships in Munich, Germany, for ABC’s Wide World of Sports, helping introduce skydiving to a global audience. He also worked as a cameraman for the television series Ripcord, a fictional show based on the adventures of skydivers, and later contributed aerial footage to the 1967 Tony Curtis and Claudia Cardinale feature film Don’t Make Waves, which famously included a scene of an all-woman demo team making a beach landing in bikinis.

Perhaps one of his most legendary projects was the 1965 footage of Rod Pack’s daring parachute-less jump into a net—a feat that would predate modern wingsuit and stunt-based skydives by decades. Bob’s ability to blend precision, timing, and creative framing elevated the standards of skydiving cinematography at a time when the discipline was still being invented.

Tragically, Buquor’s life was cut short in July 1966 during a filming jump off the coast of Malibu, California. Though his life ended prematurely, his legacy continues to endure through the Bob Buquor Memorial Star Crest Awards—recognitions bestowed upon skydivers who complete large freefall formations, beginning with the first 8-way or larger “star.” These awards, originally established in his honor, have become a lasting part of the sport’s culture and celebration of excellence.

Bob Buquor was posthumously inducted into the International Skydiving Hall of Fame in 2012 for his extraordinary contributions to the sport, both behind the lens and in the sky. His passion, innovation, and courage helped skydiving find its visual language—and his work continues to inspire skydivers and filmmakers alike to this day.