Name: Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary
Address: Riverside, CA

Mary contact me this is Terry my phone number is 503 960 0090

May 21, 2019

Yesterday we laid to rest and celebrated the great life of Don Cessna. His life was truly filled with love, laughter, family, and accomplishment. He served his country proudly and will forever rest at the Riverside National Cemetery. He will also be forever remembered and missed by all who were touched by him.



May 1, 2019

Throwback to one of my favorite pictures of all time. I am gutted that Danica will never get to fully understand what an amazing Papa she had, but I’m forever grateful for moments like this that I can share with her forever. We love you, Papa. Rest In Peace. ♥️♥️



May 1, 2019

Today the world lost the greatest man I’ve ever known. He taught me how to love and laugh. He taught me how to ski, to snap, to whistle, to play and how to live life to its fullest. He always was willing to help anyone in need and knew how to fix just about anything. Today the world lost a great man, and heaven gained him as an angel. Thank you to everyone for your kind words and support, the last few days have been very difficult for our family, but I know that my dad is now in peace. ❤️❤️❤️❤️



May 1, 2019

To my Papa: The Man, the Myth, the Legend. I will be forever grateful for the 23 years I was able to spend with you. Thankful for all of the memories, laughs, and times we spent together. I hope you find yourself a new river spot up in heaven and save it for us until we get there. We love you and will miss you❤️@ Riverside, California




May 1, 2019

To the man who gave me my quick wit, the man who taught me how to channel my inner goofball, the man who bought me my first guitar, the man who knew how to fix anything and everything, the man who raised my mom to be the best mom in the world, the man who loved my Nana with everything he had and stayed her best friend until the end, to the man who kept my family together....thank you. Thank you for all your patience, your support, and your endless love and care. Without a Papa like you, I would not be the person I am today. I wish we could have had more time together, but I know it was your time to go. So until we meet again, kick your shoes off and stay a while. I love you and will miss you more than you know, Papa ♡ The man, the myth, the legend always and forever.



May 1, 2019

Donald Cessna (1936-2019)

To my husband, my best friend and the love of my life:
We are so fortunate as a family to have had you in our lives for the past 46+ years. You have filled our lives with love, laughter and music. You have shown us what it means to be a loving husband, good father, loyal friend and doting grandfather. We will miss you every day, but will have many wonderful memories of Don Cessna, lovingly referred to in the Cessna family as "Papa: The Man, The Myth, The Legend." Love is forever.



 Eulogy by Matt Gorder (Part 1 of 7)

I first met Don Cessna on July 13, 1981, almost 38 years ago. I remember it because that was my first day of work at Hughes Aircraft, Radar Systems Group, in El Segundo, CA. I was introduced to everyone in the lab, and that included Don, who shared adjacent lab benches next to Dick Waldeck at the front of the lab, right where all of the action was. For the next 35 years, whenever I worked with Don, he was always at the center of the action in the lab. That included our time working together at Hughes Aircraft, Raytheon, Fast Bit Technologies, TelASIC Communications, and finally at MTI Laboratory. 

Don could do, and did do, literally everything we ever did in the lab for those many years. Whether it was building test fixtures, making repairs to hybrid circuits or burned-out circuit boards, or conducting complicated testing with spectrum analyzers and high-speed oscilloscopes, he could do it all. I’m still awestruck by his ability to do very fine soldering of tiny and intricate circuit structures and components, which he excelled at even up to the day he finally retired at nearly 80 years of age. 

For those of us who worked at Hughes Aircraft in the 1980’s, before the advent of capture RAM’s and FFT analysis, we used to evaluate and characterize the dynamic performance of high-speed A/D converters using a technique called “beat frequency” testing. This technique relied on analog signal processing circuits to perform an analog reconstruction of the high-speed digital signals at much lower frequencies, allowing for measurement of the SNR, i.e. the signal-to-noise ratio, for the converter. 

Part 2 of Eulogy by Matt Gorder

We had several of these beat frequency test fixtures around the lab, and they were truly custom-built “works of art”. They were mostly built by Don and Dick Waldeck. These were complex and large test fixtures, and included power supplies, digital and analog integrated circuits, gauges, knobs, wiring harnesses, switches, LEDs, etc. We used them to demonstrate the performance of many different types of state-of-the art A/D converters which were developed in our laboratories at that time. 

Now, Don did not have a lot of formal technical training or a degree in electronic design. What he did have was practical experience and know-how. And he had it in spades. He had been trained as a radar operator in the U.S. Air Force, and he served in that capacity in Korea. Later on after returning to civilian life, he worked at the Sylvania factory making vacuum tubes. Some time later after moving to California he became a TV repair technician working for Sears, and that was great training in trouble-shooting electronic circuits for his eventual work at Hughes Aircraft. We had a variety of service techs from Sears come join our laboratory at Hughes Aircraft, and they were all exceptional workers and technicians, with a “can-do” and fun attitude about work, and no fear about tackling any type of job. During the formative part of my career I was exposed to and learned a lot from Don, Dick Waldeck, Al Devinaspre, Pat Gates, Jose Tavares, Russ Oviatt, Al Salson, George Inouye, Mel Izumoto, and many other “lab rats”. I guess they had seen enough TV circuit failures over the years to not have any concern about smoke and fire, and they knew their way around high-voltage circuitry. They just dived right in to any job that needed to be done. I will always be grateful for having the opportunity to know and work with all of these fine people, and I consider that time working at Hughes one of the highlights of my own engineering career. 


Part 3 of Eulogy by Matt Gorder

Don was the expert technician on one unit that we called the DCU = Digital Converter Unit, which was used on board a spy ship that would travel around the world to perform electronic surveillance of potential adversaries. These DCU units were very advanced, state of the art electronics for that time, they were custom built in our lab at Hughes, and there were very few in existence….they were not allowed to come off the ship. So a few times Don had to travel to the ship in order to perform repairs, calibration, and maintenance for these units. I know that one time Don had to travel to Hawaii when the ship was docked there. The fact that Don was chosen to go was due to his versatility and technical know-how, and due to his ability to get the job done. So, Don did his part to help win the Cold War from Hawaii.

In exactly two months from today our nation will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first manned landing on the moon, on July 20, 1969. It was from following the Apollo program that I became interested in a career in engineering. I can tell you quite confidently, that we were successful as a nation in landing a man on the moon because of the work of many guys just like Don Cessna. They were guys that could fix anything, and were not afraid to tackle any job. I like to believe that this can-do attitude and determination is in large part what makes America a great country. Men and women with skill, knowledge and tenacity like Don, working hard. That is just a tough combination to beat!


Part 4 of Eulogy by Matt Gorder

But, Don knew about a lot more than just electronics. A lot more! He had worked in appliance repair for Sears, and he had also worked for a time in construction. Along the way, he developed a great working knowledge of all appliances, plumbing, home wiring, irrigation systems, pretty much anything that might need fixing around the house. He even got interesting in bee-keeping, and got the suit, and had a couple of hives going in his backyard in Riverside making fresh honey. Eventually he had to get rid of the bees, but that’s another story for another time. During our time commuting together, I would consult with him about any fix-it jobs around the house or with the car, and he invariably gave good, practical advice about what to do. My wife Anita would find out what days I was driving, and when we were on our way home she would call me on the cell phone, tell me to hand it over to Don, and she would then proceed to tell him the symptoms about something that was wrong with a washing machine, a garage door opener, an icemaker, etc. Don would then fill me in on what I should look for, how to make the repair, etc. Sometimes he would say, “Matt, you need to buy your wife a new refrigerator”.  His advice was always helpful and spot-on. In fact, Anita used to say that she wished she was married to Don for about a month or two, so that he could come over to the house and fix everything!

But… I got even with her. I told her that if I was married to Mary Cessna, who was the daughter of the long-time track and field coach at Boston College, that every night when I came home from work that I would walk in the door, and there would be a game on the TV. Baseball, basketball, football, hockey, softball, it didn’t matter! I would get it all! Even Don laughed at that one, because he always said that Mary would have a game on when he came home from work. The only downside would be that Mary was, and is …. a huge Boston sports fan. 

Part 5 of Eulogy by Matt Gorder

That would have been problematic when the Lakers and the Celtics matched up, or Boston College vs. Navy. 

Don and I commuted to work together for many years after I moved to Riverside in 1993. One of the things that I noticed right away was that he always had a catcher’s mitt in the trunk of his car. Why was that? Well, Don was always ready to catch some fast-pitch softball, as his two daughters Kathy and Jennifer were both very accomplished pitchers, and his grand-daughter Brianna has followed in their footsteps. In addition to driving to and from work during the week, Don would often spend his weekends going to softball tournaments, so he got in plenty of extra driving. He seemed to know every softball field in the Southern California area, and sometimes as we drove home at night and saw a glow in the distance from the freeway he would say—“There’s a softball field over there. The girls played a couple of tournaments at that field”. It showed his dedication to his family that he spent his free time immersed in their activities, even if it meant hitting the road again after a long week driving to and from work. I always admired that about him, and marveled at his energy and physical stamina in being able to do it. I know he had a lot of support in those endeavors from Mary, and they made a great team in raising their family together. 

During our many trips Don filled me in about his life growing up in Altoona, PA, and his life with his brothers George and Lee. Don related that he and his two brothers were “hell on wheels” as youngsters. He said his three sisters were nick-named Candy, Cuddles, and Bubbles, which sounded to me like a group of exotic dancers! Don went to Catholic school growing up, being taught by nuns….armed with rulers! And they didn’t use them for measuring lengths too often! They apparently instilled the necessary discipline to make him very successful in life. 

Part 6 of Eulogy by Matt Gorder

He worked as a lifeguard in Altoona and was an accomplished swimmer, which seemed to inculcate a life-long love of water sports. At one of his Air Force assignments in Texas he was able to spend a lot of time water-skiing in the defense of our nation, and became a very accomplished water skier. He even did shows where he did tandem skiing, water-skied with girls riding on his shoulders, and even barefoot water-skiing. He loved ski-trips to the Colorado River with family and friends, and later he and Mary had a place there. His entire family loved going down there for many happy times. More driving for Don, but he loved it, and loved being with his family.  

Don was a born a little bit too late to be considered part of the “Greatest Generation” that served in World War II, but he had all of the same types of qualities that were notable in that group. I really consider it an honor to have worked with him, and to be able to call him my friend. My only regret for Don and his family was that he was not able to enjoy a long and comfortable retirement, as it was cut short by Alzheimer’s disease. Even though we gather today to mourn his passing, I hope that we can also consider today a celebration of his life, and know that his life was a gift from God to all who knew him, and who were loved by him.


Part 7  of Eulogy by Matt Gorder

 We have all been blessed to know Don Cessna. Guys like Don don’t often get written-up in the newspapers or shown on TV, which invariably consists of mostly “bad news”. But they are out there, working hard every day, and loving and raising their families. We can all take comfort in the knowledge that there are many people out there like Don. Like his family. Like many of you here today. They and you are the back-bone of our country. The next time you are watching the evening news and you think our world is going to heck in a handbasket, take a moment to remember Don, and remember that there are many more people like Don out there, and know and be confident that we’re going to get through it together, that we’re going to be OK. 
Thank you all for coming today, and let’s celebrate and honor together the life of a great man, husband and father, Don Cessna. God Bless you Don!


Eulogy by Bryana Clark

Good morning everyone. My name is Bryana. I was Donald’s first grandchild. (Or “Papa” as most of us know him.) I can say whole heartedly that Papa was the absolute best man that I have ever known. He was friendly, kind, goofy, stubborn, hard-working, strong and just an all-around great person. For those of you that are here today and knew Papa, I would hope that you would agree with me. 

There is already not a day that goes by that I don’t miss him. I miss him opening the door and saying “Hi Bryana, how you doing? What’s your name again?” Or going over to stay the night at Nana and Papa’s house and having him say “Hey why don’t you kick your shoes off and stay awhile.” 

He is the type of man that I hope every man strives to be. He was always supportive of not only his kids but all of his grandkids and our #1 fan in just about anything we did. School, sporting events, whatever it was, he was there always with his great big contagious smile. 

I remember trying to get my pitching career started and Papa taking me down in the back yard and going “Alright throw it to me”. I just remember looking at him crazy like Papa I throw pretty hard and I’m not going to lie I’m pretty wild. And he told me just get on the mound and throw it. So I definitely can thank him for helping to contribute to my softball career. 

I have a lot to thank him for. I want to thank him for being my papa. Someone that made me the woman I am today. I will forever cherish the times and memories I have had with papa and be grateful for the 23 years I had with him. He will forever be in our hearts. 

I can just imagine him looking down on us right now. At a new river spot in heaven, playing the guitar, and waiting for us, surrounded by “Papa” tacos and margaritas. We love you papa and miss you so much.


Part 3 of Eulogy by Donald W Cessna Jr:

“May I Offer You A Suggestion” by Donald Cessna

May I offer you a suggestion?  Let me count the ways.
You should probably listen, you might just be amazed.

May I offer you a suggestion?  You were probably doing it wrong.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he had said it to Neil Armstrong.

May I offer you a suggestion?  You’re about to get schooled.
Just get of the way and hand him your tools.

May I offer you a suggestion?  He’d never put you down.
He’d help you make your car work so you could get back into town.

May I offer you a suggestion?  Don’t have too many margaritas.
Because you could end up with the wrong senorita.

May I offer you a suggestion?  Please don’t check the prop
When I’m standing down river from you in my tank top.

May I offer you a suggestion?  Do I have to say it again?
Thank you all for coming family and friends.

Love you Dad.

Part 1 of Eulogy by Donald W Cessna Jr:

I would like to thank everyone on behalf of my mother, Mary, my sisters, Kathy and Jennifer, and myself for being here today to help us celebrate the life of my Dad, Don Cessna.

He was many things – husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, coach, co-worker, and a “River Rat.”

It was very evident from all he did for us over the years, that he loved his family and friends.  He also loved boating, camping, singing, playing guitar, sports (playing and watching), telling jokes, and in more recent years, spending time with his grandchildren.  He was a grandfather who would sit in a kiddie pool with his 2 year old granddaughter, or spend hours with them in the water at the Colorado River as they jumped in his arms from a boat or Seadoo, saying “Catch me Papa!” and he always did.

Growing up we spent hours listening to him play on his guitar singing Neil Diamond songs to us.  At the time we didn’t know who Neil Diamond was, so when we got a little older we started listening to 8-tracks of some singer named Neil Diamond.  We all thought he stole Dad’s songs!  And he sounded a lot like Dad!  We always get a laugh remembering back to when we were introduced to Neil Diamond’s music.

Dad was also a jokester.  He loved jokes and had a great sense of humor.  There was one joke he used to always play on someone where he told him he went to see a palm reader.  The story goes, the palm reader hold told him he was a dog in a past life and he died from a neck injury.  My Dad would then tell his “mark” that it was the weirdest thing because he had a scar on the back of his neck since he was born and no one could explain why. Then he’d tell them to look at the scar and as soon as they’d lean in to look, he’d start barking at them and usually scare the crap out of them.  This was the light hearted man I will always remember.


Part 2 of Eulogy by Donald W Cessna Jr:

As most you might also know, Dad also loved spending time at the river.  He taught a lot of us how to ski.  He’d spend endless hours of dragging people up and down the river and always with a smile.  As I got older he taught me how to drive the boat (I was 12).  He taught all of us how to back down a trailer on the launch ramp.  If you’ve ever had the opportunity to watch a launch ramp on a busy day, you’d understand that he had to have a LOT of patience.  I remember one of his rules on the boat, he would never turn the boat around if your hat blew off.  If you didn’t want to lose your hat you better put it away.  On one of our river trips, his hat blew off while we were heading back to camp after a day of skiing.  He just kept going and looked at all of us and said, “I really loved that hat.”

As we were growing up, my sisters and I all got into sports and he gave up the river for a few years to help coach and watch us play.  His family was always first.  It wasn’t until we all pretty much graduated from high school, that he went out and bought some sea-doos, looked at mom and said, “Its time to go back to the river.”   We spent a lot of time down at the Big River RV park near Parker, AZ.  Mom and Dad became year round “weekend” residents and would get down there as often as they could.

The river trips were always time for family. If you knew my Dad, once you became a friend you were more than that, you became part of the family.   He made everyone feel welcome.  He also was one of those people you could go to with questions for just about anything.  There is a saying, “Jack of all trades, master of none.”  Well, in my Dad’s case he was a master of many.  I was very fortunate to grow up where he did everything around the house; electrical, plumbing, landscaping, concrete, and mason work, you name it. I learned a lot from him.

If you knew Dad long enough you very likely heard the phrase, “May I offer you a suggestion?"

I liked Don  the  very first time I met him.  I always looked up to Don .  To me he was a man’s man. I don’t believe  we ever had a bad word . We have all lost a wonderful soul. 

OBITUARY

Donald William Cessna

May 20, 1936 – May 1, 2019

Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary

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