Alumni Spotlight

This month, our Alumni Spotlight shines on Richard Cassey Jr., a 1982 Methacton graduate who knew from his school days that he was destined to serve our nation. After a distinguished 33-year military career, he continues that mission today as a leader in veteran advocacy with the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Green Star Families of America.

Rich joined Methacton the summer before his senior year following his parents' divorce. He decided to spend his final year living with his father in Audubon, a choice that required transferring schools. Fortunately, it was a move he was comfortable with and excited about, as his siblings and cousins were already attending Methacton. While brief, his single year at Methacton became a pivotal turning point, providing a foundation that set him up for future success.

"My entire senior year was an awesome experience. I was a 'welcomed outsider.' I worried that transferring in that late would leave me isolated and without traditional, happy senior year memories. That was not the case, and I was proud to graduate as a Warrior."

Rich's favorite memories are the Friday night football games shared with friends he remains close with to this day. Academically, Rich gravitated toward music and science. With his sights already set on joining the Navy after graduation, he took a particular interest in electronics, knowing it would be the focus of his future service. Outside the classroom, he was an active trumpet player in the school band. It was there that he found a major inspiration in the band director, Mr. Twiford. As an officer in the 28th Infantry Division, Twiford "exemplified patience and leadership" that left a lasting impact on Rich.

Mr. Hentz, his electronics teacher, was also a major inspiration:

"He gave me knowledge that laid the foundation that helped me have a successful career in both Naval Aviation and afterwards in my civilian job at Lockheed Martin."

Rich comes from a very patriotic, duty-driven military family, so his decision to join the service came as no surprise.

"I always looked up to my family members who served. As a young boy, my cousins and I often dressed in our family members' old uniforms and 'played Army.”'

He remembers one uncle, an Army First Sergeant, marching the colors into a family picnic while the music of John Philip Sousa played. When getting closer to college selection, Rich originally wanted to go to school for music. However, he knew his parents couldn’t put all the children through school. His second passion was science—especially aircraft and space—so he decided to take the ASVAB and try for Naval Aviation, and just one month after graduation, he was off to Navy boot camp.

Rich’s military career began immediately after high school in the U.S. Navy where he served from 1982 to 1988. Specializing in Aviation Electronics and working on carrier decks, his early service included a combat deployment to Libya for Operation El Dorado Canyon.

Following his active duty, Rich balanced service in the Navy Reserve at NAS Willow Grove—and later the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, which he joined in 1989—with a civilian career in the aerospace industry. He navigated complex corporate mergers between GE Aerospace, Martin Marietta, and Lockheed Martin, but when corporate redundancies led to a plant closure, he seized the opportunity to return to full-time service.

In 2001, Rich transferred into the Army’s Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) program. He began as an instructor at Fort Indiantown Gap and played a pivotal role in transitioning his unit into the first National Guard Stryker Unit. Rising to the rank of Sergeant First Class and ultimately retiring as a Senior Operations NCO in a Combat Infantry Battalion, Rich concluded his service in 2015. In total, he dedicated 33 years to the military (20 active, 13 reserve), with a distinguished record that includes multiple state emergency activations, humanitarian relief missions for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and combat deployments to both Libya and Iraq.

Rich’s transition into veteran advocacy came as a natural progression of his 33-year military career. Having risen through the ranks from Squad Leader to Platoon Sergeant and acting First Sergeant, the responsibility of protecting and guiding others became deeply ingrained. After decades of ensuring the welfare of his troops, looking out for others is now simply second nature.

"I live by the quotes, 'If not me, then who?' and 'No one left behind.' My passion for helping those who cannot help themselves continues to grow."

Currently, he is the Vice Chairman of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) National Legislative Committee, where he advocates for veterans' needs on Capitol Hill. He also serves as the COO of Green Star Families of America, a grassroots non-profit assisting families who have lost a veteran to suicide. Among his proudest achievements are helping secure passage of the PACT Act—landmark legislation that expands care and benefits for generations of veterans exposed to toxic substances—and leading Green Star Families of America toward federal recognition, ensuring surviving family members of veterans lost to suicide receive the acknowledgment and support they deserve.

"I have a lot left in the tank and I am hoping to help get more ground breaking Veterans Legislation passed."

Rich remains deeply connected to the Methacton community. He is married to Linda (Sypherd) Cassey, a fellow member of the Class of 1982. They still reside in Trooper, PA, and are the proud parents of three children (two of whom are also Methacton alumni) and grandparents to three grandchildren.

To current Methacton students, Rich's advice is heartfelt:

"Pay attention to who supports you. Learn to be the hand that reaches out when someone needs help. Never be afraid to try, and always give back."

If you are -- or know -- a Methacton graduate who should be featured in the ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT, complete the interest form here.

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