Department Mourns the Loss of Cebeci

August 25, 1934 – March 28, 2021 Born and raised in Turkey, Tuncer Cebeci graduated from Robert College, Turkey, with B.S. degrees in electrical and mechanical engineering. He came to North Carolina, where he received an M.S. degree in mechanical engineering from Duke University. In 1961, he discovered the love of his life, a Duke undergraduate student from Winston-Salem named Sylvia Ann Holt. Tuncer and Sylvia were married in 1963 at New Hope Methodist Church in Winston-Salem. After receiving his doctorate in mechanical engineering from North Carolina State in 1964, Tuncer, Sylvia, and their new daughter Rabia moved west to Long Beach, where Tuncer joined Douglas Aircraft Company as a research scientist. He was promoted to head of the aerodynamics research department in 1974 and eventually become the company’s first senior fellow in 1982.Tuncer received the prestigious Fluid and Plasma Dynamics Award from the Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) in 1984. He also became the first distinguished professor in the mechanical engineering department of California State University, Long Beach in 1977, received the distinguished alumni award from North Carolina State in1987, and the Presidential Science Award from the president of Turkey in 1988. In 1993, Tuncer received the Aerodynamics Award from the AIAA, and from McDonnell Douglas, the Distinguished Fellow Award (the company’s highest technical award). In 1998, Tuncer founded the aerospace engineering department at California State University, Long Beach, and became the chairman of the department. In addition to all of his professional accomplishments, Tuncer was a prolific writer, authoring 20 books and publishing over 300 technical journal articles. All the while, Tuncer did not let life pass him by. He and Sylvia traveled the world many times over, and they raised three children whom they loved and cherished. They left a legacy of kindness and generosity.Tuncer is preceded in death by his beloved Sylvia in 2012 and his grandson Jordan Weiss in 2011. Tuncer is survived by his daughters, Rabia and Leyla, his son, Bradley, his son-in-law, Phil Weiss, daughter-in-law Maria Jose, grandchildren Jarret Weiss, Jack Weiss, Emerson Cebeci, and Paul Bradley Cebeci. He is also survived by his loving companion, Meral Erkol. Tuncer is also preceded in death by his parents, Omer and Rabia II, and his brother, Dincer.In lieu of charitable donations and flowers, please be present now and tell your loved ones how much you love them.