Andrew Mathias Cecka

1924 - 2013
Andrew (Andy) Mathias Cecka passed away at home on April 15th 2013. Born to Mathias and Ludmilla Cecka in a Czech farm community in Lonsdale, MN. Earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering through the Navy's V-12 College Officer Training Program at Montana School of Mines and USC.
Worked professionally at LA's Dept. of Water and Power, then branched into aerospace at Aerojet General in Azusa. Honed his speciality, composite structure design, on the Trident missile project, as well as the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space programs. In 1968, moved to commercial graphite composite applications, including golf club shafts and Prince tennis racquets, ultimately co-founding Composit-Air in Camarillo, focused on composite airplane seating systems. After "retirement" in 1990, launched a consulting career and moved to Arroyo Grande in 2000. Proud member of Lambda Chi Alpha, ASAA, and SAMPE.
Married his true love, Rachel Ann, in San Marino, July 25, 1953, and raised their family in Covina and Thousand Oaks. Loving Dad to Stephanie, Monica, and Walt, and Grandpa to Angelie and Isabelle Cecka, and Aaron and Rachael Cook. Mentor to extended family, colleagues and friends. Sadly predeceased by Ann in 2009.
Funeral mass in Pismo Beach, June 7, 2013. Please consider a donation in his name to the Yellowstone Association (www.yellowstoneassociation.org) to support education and research in Yellowstone Park.