WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Textron Aviation held a surprise flyover and celebration of life Saturday to honor longtime Cessna CEO Russ Meyer, a staple of Wichita’s aviation industry who died in March at age 93.
More than 100 people gathered in a Textron Aviation hangar to pay tribute to Meyer, who led Cessna for more than 30 years. Speakers said his legacy extended beyond aircraft, including his role in founding the Special Olympics Airlift program that transports athletes to and from the games.
“Not only did he along with Younes and Sarge Shriver conceive of and implement this extraordinary humanitarian event, but there he would be on a steaming hot or a freezing blustery ramp meeting and greeting and welcoming, giving welcoming hugs to the hundreds of special Olympians as they arrived at their games,” said Gary Hay, a former Cessna CEO…