Charles Lombard; Revolutionized Crash Helmet for Pilots, Cyclists

Charles F. Lombard, who developed a revolutionary crash helmet used by test pilots, police motorcycle officers and a famous rocket-sled daredevil who helped pioneer seat belts, has died. He was 83.

Lombard died Nov. 3 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Orange of complications resulting from a broken hip. He had been taken to the hospital Oct. 29 from his retirement home in Westminster in Orange County.

Creation of the remarkable protective helmet by Lombard and Herman P. Roth was announced May 7, 1947, by USC, where the men worked as aviation medicine scientists.

The helmet had already saved the life of one test pilot whose canopy blew off and struck him at 30,000 feet. He was able to land the plane.

Born Aug. 17, 1907, in Cripple Creek, Colo., Lombard moved to Los Angeles to attend USC, obtaining his doctorate in 1938. During World War II, he served as aviation physiologist for the Army Air Force.

He is survived by his second wife, Eppie, whom he married in 1953; their daughter, Jan Beadell, of Fountain Valley; three daughters from his first marriage, Carolyn Lombard of Tustin, Debbie Ann Power of Palos Verdes Estates and Nancy Burnett of Fallbrook; a brother, Jesse Lombard, and a sister, Edith Lombard, both of Stanton, and eight grandchildren.