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<em>Cyrus Curtis Cassells, Jr.,</em> was born in Wheeling, WV, to Cyrus and Helen Cassells. Both parents were hardworking professionals—Cyrus in automobile mechanics and Helen in book-keeping. In the mid-1930s, the family moved to Detroit, where Cy eagerly embraced schooling, scouting, and boyhood responsibilities.</p>
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In his junior year of high school, Cy achieved the rank of colonel in ROTC and won the Leadership Medal awarded by the Sons of the American Revolution. As a senior, he was elected class vice president while maintaining top grades. Upon graduation, Cy received several awards and a scholarship to Wayne State University, attending during 1950–51 and being cited as the most outstanding ROTC student. During these years he became an Eagle Scout and pursued his interests in aviation in the Explorer Scouts. Cy’s outstanding capabilities soon came to the attention of civic leaders, and Congressman George O’Brien of the 13th District appointed Cy to West Point.</p>
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Cy was one of the six African-Americans in the Class of ’55 who helped bring about advancement in integration in the barracks at the Academy. During Beast Barracks, most of the six new cadets were quartered in the same room. Before reporting to permanent companies at the beginning of the academic year, Cy and his five classmates agreed to insist on rooming with their company classmates, regardless of race. Upon receiving their room assignments, each cadet stood in the hallway outside the room, declining to enter because they were not being integrated among the Corps. This unusual act was one that took an exceptional amount of courage and generated much apprehension about potential consequences. Soon, each of the brave African-American cadets was assigned to a new room, satisfying the full spirit of the presidential order to integrate the Armed Forces. The Class of ’55, West Point, and the services benefited from this courageous act.</p>
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Cy went on to distinguish himself academically at West Point and to acquire lifelong friendships among classmates. He retained a resilient sense of humor and balance of values throughout his cadet years. His classmates found pleasure in his company, thanks to his pleasant personality and ready smile. Cy served as president of the Model Airplane Club and was a member of the Glee Club and Dialectic Society. Upon graduation, Cy was able to fulfill his dream by selecting the Air Force.</p>
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On a 1953 summer class trip to Ft. Bragg, NC, Cy met his love, Mary Isabel Williston. After a three-year, long-distance courtship that allowed Isabel to complete a degree at Howard University, the couple married in 1956. Their family grew to include three talented and intelligent sons: Cyrus III, Kevin, and David.</p>
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Cy earned his pilot’s wings following training at several Air Force bases. His first duty assignment was at Dover AFB, DE, as pilot of C-124 Globemasters for the Military Air Transport Service (MATS), including airlifts to Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. During 1961–63, Cy attended the University of Washington, earning a master’s in mechanical engineering. He then was assigned to Edwards and Travis bases in California. At Travis, he served as an engineer and command pilot on the C-141 Starlifter, providing service to the Pacific. Ever an innovator, Cy was instrumental during this period in developing concepts for improvements in loading and unloading cargo planes.</p>
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In 1967, Cy left the Air Force to pursue the challenge of aerospace career opportunities as a Department of the Air Force civilian at Edwards AFB. Through his exceptional competence as a test engineer in such projects as the C-141A, the C-5A Galaxy, and the B-1A Lancer, Cy advanced to the position of chief, Aeromechanical Systems Branch. In 1977, Cy began work at the University of Southern California for a second master’s degree, this time in environmental engineering.</p>
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In 1980, Cy joined NASA as a project engineer, receiving numerous awards and commendations for outstanding contributions. Two projects especially significant to Cy were the remote-controlled crashing of a Boeing 707, which provided invaluable information on the effects of crashes and many insights into preventing crew and passenger injuries, and the very successful testing of the Grumman X-29A forward swept wing technology demonstrator.</p>
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Cy retired from civil service in 1988, and the couple moved to Escondido, CA. Involved in many activities, including continuation of an air conditioning business he founded in Lancaster, CA, Cy took on teaching responsibilities at Mira Mesa College and San Diego State University. Cy also found an ideal outlet for his lifelong love of aviation. As a docent at the San Diego Aerospace Museum, he enjoyed opportunities to be close to treasures in aviation history and to help others appreciate their significance.</p>
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Cy was particularly devoted to promoting increased recognition of African-American contributions to aviation history and especially interested in the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. To this end, Cy served as both historian and education program coordinator for the San Diego chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen’s Association, which he helped found. This work provided a satisfying and fulfilling capstone to his lifetime interests.</p>
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In December 1996, Cy was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. Despite his illness, he continued teaching and working until chemotherapy treatments weakened him and the cancer took his life. Cy will be remembered in his private life as an exceptionally diligent, outgoing, and helpful person. He will be remembered in his public life as a brilliant engineer, a highly professional pilot, and a courageous and pioneering African-American. His wife and three sons survive him.</p>
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Cy’s remains were cremated, and the family plans to return them to the treasured farm of his grandparents in Ohio. A celebration of his life was held at the San Diego Aerospace Museum on 9 Jan 1999 with family, classmates, friends, museum associates, and members of the San Diego and Los Angeles chapters of the Tuskegee Airmen’s Association attending.</p>
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<em>Wife Mary Isabel, sons and classmates</em></p>