Raymond Theodore Tate, Jr. passed away on April 10, 2014 at his home in Mt. Airy, MD. Born in Ragland, Alabama in 1924 he spent the majority of his life living between Maryland and Crystal River, Florida. He graduated high school in Laurel, Mississippi, in 1943; attended the University of Florida, transferred and received his BS degree from the University of Maryland in June 1956; a MS degree from George Washington University in 1967. He also graduated from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and he was a frequent guest lecturer at Harvard University, Kennedy Graduate School.
Mr. Tate spent his life in service to his country. As a teenager he enlisted in the Army Air Corp and became a radio operator on a B-24 crew stationed in Bungay, England. He flew over 35 combat and electronic counter measure missions. His awards included the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with three Oakleaf Clusters, the Purple Heart and three Battle Stars. As a Naval Reservist, and attending collage in Gainesville, Florida, Mr. Tate was recalled to active duty during the Korean War in 1951 as part of the Naval Security Group.
In 1954, Mr. Tate joined NSA as an Electronics Engineer. He held a variety of management engineering positions until 1963 when he was appointed Chief of the new Crypto Production Equipment Engineering Division. He supervised both electronic and mechanical design engineers in building unique devises for the production of a wide variety of crypto materials and devises. Mr. Tate was appointed Chief of the newly formed COMSEC Engineering Division to investigate TEMPEST vulnerabilities. This function was to grow to the point where it became the national authority in the TEMPEST area.
In 1972, he received the Exceptional Civilian Service Award (NSA’s highest award) for executive achievements. And in 1973 was promoted to Deputy Director of NSA for Communications Security. In 1979 Mr. Tate retired from government service as a Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Command, Control, Communication & Intelligence).
After retirement, he began a succession of successful businesses that included Ashton Technology Group, and The Windermere Group. Mr. Tate was also director of three private commercial companies that serve the federal market. He served as Chairman, Advisory Committee on Assessment of Defense Space Technology National Research Council, and the CIA Advisory Panel. He was a Board of Directors member for many large public companies throughout the years such as BTG, Booze Allen Hamilton, Lockheed Martin, TRW, and Gould. Mr. Tate was a Master Mason, an active member of the 446th Bombardment Group, the COMSOS Club, Phoenix Society, Sandy Spring Neighbors Club and the Purple Heart, among others.
Preceded in death by his loving wife of 67 years, Helen Jackson Tate; his parents, Raymond T. Tate Sr. and Marian Curd Best, and his brother Robert E. Tate. He was a Patriot, loving and devoted husband, brother, and father. He is survived by daughter, Susan T. Burrowbridge (Don) of Annapolis, MD; son, Stephen E Tate (Jacki) of Mt Airy, MD; son, Andrew P. Tate of Yankeetown, FL; and daughter, Elizabeth T. Winters (Fiance Wayne Kitzmiller) of Mt. Airy, MD. Grandchildren Erin Leonard (Chris), Stacy Bullock, Kevin Burrowbridge (Will), Alex Harden (Dan), Dana Tate and Margaret Winters as well as seven Great Grandchildren.
From the Capital Gazette Obituary.