Textron Aviation has paid tribute to its former longtime chairman and CEO of Cessna Aircraft Company, Russ Meyer, after the Citation business jet champion passed away at the age of 93.
On March 4, 2026, the Cessna and Beechcraft owner, Textron, said that the company was “deeply saddened” and thanked Meyer for nearly 30 years of service that oversaw the development and launch of Citation business jets.
As a Cessna icon, Meyer served as CEO from 1975 and 1998, playing a key role in stabilizing the industry through the General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994 and helped navigate huge challenges through his tenure.
Nicknamed the “father of the Citation line” under his leadership, Cessna delivered almost 5,000 Citation jets.
Meyer, himself a lifelong pilot, was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2009 and was awarded two Collier Trophies (1986, 1996) and the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy in 1995.
He also founded the Special Olympics Airlift, which has transported athletes to the games for forty years. Only this week Textron launched the donation campaign in support of the 2026 Special Olympics Airlift.
Ron Draper, President and CEO of Textron Aviation, described Meyer as a “remarkable human being” and as one of the “most respected leaders” he had ever known.
“I held Russ in the highest regard, not only for his extraordinary business acumen, but for the integrity, humility and genuine care he showed for people at every stage of his life. He led with conviction, compassion and an unwavering belief that leadership carries a responsibility to serve something greater than oneself,” said Draper.
He added: “On behalf of the entire Textron Aviation team, I extend my deepest condolences to Russ’s family, friends and all who had the privilege of knowing and working with him. I was truly privileged to know Russ as a colleague, a mentor and a friend.”
Meyer was born in Davenport, Iowa, on July 19, 1932, and passed away on March 4, 2026.