Ev Cassagneres

[Hatz617]

Hi All

A good friend, 170 pilot extraordinaire, and all around colorful character Ev Cassagneres has gone west. He passed away Sunday, July 1st in the evening at home in Cheshire, CT...and he flew his 170B that very morning. What a way to go...flying right to the end! We should all be so lucky to be staring at our final days but still able to strap the machine on and take in out for a flight.

Ev had been an active pilot for 65 years, wrote five books on aviation history (particularly Ryan airplanes and interviewed Charles Lindbergh in that capacity), started the International Ryan Club back in 1960, was a Korean War combat veteran (two Purple Hearts), raced bicycles (7 time state champion and set a national record for a 200 mile race that has never been broken), was an engineer, draftsman, photographer, and heavily involved in the folk music and dance community. Ev owned a '53 170B that was his pride and joy (see the cover of the Third Quarter 2008 170 News for a picture of the ship). You couldn't find a better ambassador for classic vintage airplanes than Ev, and especially 170s.

We've lost truly one of the good guys and I shall miss him.

Best

Bob Spaulding

[GAHorn]

Oh Dear!
I've talked to Ev every monnth for the last year or so....
Dang!
Fly FOREVER, Ev!

Safe skies.