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 NSC, Cobb served on the boards of numerous non-profit organizations, including Business Executives for National Security, NatureBridge, AAFMAA and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada.

Cobb was born in Reno, Nevada, in 1940, attending the local high school and the local university, where he was the president of Sigma Nu. He received a master of arts degree from Indiana University and a PhD in Soviet studies from Georgetown University.

Cobb served in the United States Army for 24 years, taking part in two tours of duty in the Vietnam War, for which he was awarded the Purple Heart. During his time at the army, he also worked as a professor, at the United States Military Academy.

After retirement, Cobb was appointed a civilian aide to the United States Secretary of the Army. In 2017, he received the award Distinguished Nevadan from the University of Nevada, Reno.

He was the father of Ty Cobb, a Republican politician who served in the Nevada Assembly from 2006 until 2010.