Tyrus W. Cobb

Tyrus William Cobb (April 15, 1940 – December 7, 2024) was an American lieutenant colonel and academic who specialized in national security. Cobb was a member of the U.S. National Security Council, where he served as director of European and Soviet Affairs Directorate from 1983 until 1988 and special assistant to the president for national security affairs from 1988 until 1989. After the National Security Council, Cobb served on the boards of numerous non-profit organizations, including Business Executives for National Security, NatureBridge, American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada.

Early life and education Tyrus William Cobb was born in Reno, Nevada, on April 15, 1940. His father, Tyrus Richard, was a news anchor and he had two siblings.

Career Early career Prior to his involvement with the National Security Council, Cobb was a lieutenant colonel in the army and a professor at the United States Military Academy. During his service in the army, Cobb served in two tours of duty in the Vietnam War, and was the recipient of the Purple Heart. As special assistant, Cobb was responsible for science and technology agreements, export policy, United Nations affairs, and the environment.

Later career After leaving the National Security Council, Cobb was the president and chief executive officer of Business Executives for National Security from 1991 until 1995, before leaving the position to serve as president and CEO of NatureBridge, a position he held until 2002. Cobb was a member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada Advisory Committee. He retired from the National Security Council in 2018.

Cobb was appointed a civilian aide to the secretary of the Army in Nevada in 2005. He received the award Distinguished Nevadan from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2017.

Personal life, death and legacy Cobb married Suellen Small in 1965 and they had three children, along with five grandchildren.

Cobb had fluency in Russian and Italian.

Cobb died from heart failure in Reno, on December 7, 2024, at the age of 84.