Charles Louis Cassady

Dr. Charles Louis Cassady, Sr.

Dr. Charles Louis Cassady, Sr., age 90, of Solon, Ohio, passed away on March 31, 2026 surrounded by family. A devoted physician, teacher, artist, husband, father, and grandfather, he lived a life defined by service, curiosity, and deep love for his family.

Charles was born in 1935 in Dresden, Ohio, to Lewis Paul Cassady, M.D., and Mary Louise Egbert Cassady. He grew up in nearby East Fultonham, Ohio, and graduated from Roseville High School, where he proudly served as quarterback of the football team.

He went on to attend The Ohio State University, where he lived in the historic Stadium Scholarship Dormitory inside Ohio Stadium while completing his undergraduate studies and medical training. He earned his M.D. from Ohio State before beginning his medical career as an intern at St. Luke's Hospital in 1961. He completed his residency in Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose, and Throat) at St. Luke's Hospital from 1961 to 1966.

Following his residency, Dr. Cassady served his country as an Otolaryngologist with the United States Air Force 862nd Medical Group in Minot, North Dakota, from 1966 to 1968. After completing his service, he returned to Northeast Ohio and began a distinguished career in Otolaryngology that spanned nearly four decades.

Beginning in 1968 and continuing until his retirement in 2007, Dr. Cassady practiced throughout the Cleveland area and was affiliated with several hospitals including Hillcrest Hospital, Huron Road Hospital, Euclid General Hospital, Geauga Community Hospital, Richmond Heights Hospital, and St. Vincent Charity Hospital.

Board certified in Otolaryngology in 1968, Dr. Cassady was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery in 1969 and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons in 1972. He was also a member of the American Board of Otolaryngology. In 1975 he was elected to the prestigious Triological Society, where his thesis, "A New Concept in the Treatment of Frey's Syndrome: The Use of Interpositional Dermal Grafts," was later published in The Laryngoscope in 1977.

Throughout his career he was deeply committed to medical leadership and education. He was a long-standing member of the Academy of Medicine of Cleveland and Northern Ohio from 1968 to 2006, serving on the Board of Directors from 1974 to 1977 and chairing the Membership Committee in 1994. He also served on the Health Insurance Review Committee and participated in public health education, including the Healthlines radio program broadcast on WCLV in November 2005.

Dr. Cassady chaired the Medical Records Committees at St. Luke's Hospital and Hillcrest Hospital and served as Chief of Surgery at Geauga Community Hospital. In addition to his clinical practice, he helped train future physicians as Assistant Clinical Professor of Otolaryngology at University Hospitals from 1968 until 2005 and also served as an adjunct professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. He also served the community as a school physician for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.

In recognition of his service to medicine and the community, Dr. Cassady received an Outstanding Service Award from the Academy of Medicine of Cleveland and Northern Ohio Medical Association. His contributions were formally recognized by the Ohio General Assembly, and he was also honored by the City of Cleveland by Mayor Jane Campbell recognizing him as the Academy of Medicine/Northern Ohio Medical Association Outstanding Service Award recipient.

Beyond medicine, Charles lived a full and creative life. He met the love of his life, Mary Lou, while ice skating at the Northfield Park ice rink in Cleveland. They were married on August 11, 1962, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Mayfield Heights and built a life together filled with family, laughter, and shared adventures.

Charles and Mary Lou raised their family in Northeast Ohio and lived in Solon from 1979 until 2026, when they transitioned to Anna Maria Nursing Home in Aurora.

An avid outdoorsman and artist, Charles found joy in fly fishing the Chagrin River and in painting, particularly scenes of ducks and waterfowl. His artwork was exhibited in shows throughout the United States and internationally, including in Thailand. He also enjoyed writing songs and was an active member of the Cleveland Jaycees, establishing a group of friends that continued to get together later under the informal title J-Seniors.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Cassady (Novak), and his children: Charles Cassady Jr. (Lucy McKernan), Brian Cassady, and Sheila Wyatt (Jeff). He was a proud grandfather to Nicholas, Victoria, and Amira.

He is also survived by his siblings Laura Franks (Larry), Paula Cassady, and John Cassady (Judy).

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis Cassady, M.D., and Mary Cassady (Egbert), as well as his siblings Marianne Winters (Don) and Timothy Cassady (Bobby, Glenda).

Dr. Cassady will be remembered as a dedicated physician, thoughtful teacher, talented artist, and devoted family man whose kindness, intellect, and quiet humor touched many lives.