Commemorate

The NCF pauses to remember Thomas Milanowski - a long-time supporter and member of the Foundation and Phoenix Society. Mr. Milanowski served his country as a medic in the U.S. Army. After dedicating 27 years to the National Security Agency, he retired. Click to learn more about his life.

Carol worked for NSA for 35 years before retiring in 1996. Following retirement, she enjoyed traveling and volunteering. She was a lifetime member of the Phoenix Society. Learn more by clicking on her name or photo.

Bob served in the U.S. Navy during the years from 1952 to 1956 as a Communications Technician in the Naval Security Group. He retired from the National Security Agency in 1988 with 28 years of service in the Research & Engineering Group as an Electronic Engineer and System Acquisition Manager. He was subsequently employed by Ideas, Inc., and Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) until retirement in 1998. Bob was a long time supporter/member of the NCF. Click on his name or photo to learn more.

The NCF remembers long-time member Charles Meade. Charlie was a member of the U.S. Department of Defense for 37 years, both as a civilian and an Air Force Officer. He retired from the National Security Agency in 1997 and was a long-time member of the Phoenix Society. Click on his name or photo to learn more about him.

Bruce accepted a position at the National Security Agency and was sent to language school to learn Arabic. He later studied cryptanalysis and programming, and became proficient in these as well. His expertise led him to multi-year assignments outside Maryland: to Cyprus, England (twice), the Middle East (on a detachment to the DOA), and Princeton, New Jersey. He was awarded the Meritorious Civilian Service Award for his service in the Middle East. Please click on his name or photo to learn more about his life via his In Memoriam Registry page.

Kevin retired from the Agency in 2005 after serving for 32 years. He was a long-time member of the Phoenix Society and was also a member of the National Cryptologic Foundation. Kevin's life was defined by many things: a boundless curiosity and respect for the world we share; a limitless compassion & love for his family and friends; and a selfless devotion to everything to which he put his mind. Click on his photo or name to learn more.

The NCF remembers Joan Chaput-Gray who passed away 18 January 2025. After retiring from a successful career with Trans World Airlines, Joan went to work at NSA which capitalized on her high aptitude for mastering four European and one Middle Eastern language. Through self-teaching, she was attempting to obtain fluency in Russian and an Arabic language. Her final time at NSA likely was punctuated with the onset of Aphasia, the diagnosis of which was not apparent for several years. Click to learn more about Joan.

The NCF remembers dedicated long-time supporter & member, Mike Jacobs. Mike served in the Army National Guard and was assigned to defend our nation’s capital. He spent most of his professional career working for the United States Government for 38 years with the National Security Agency and for close to 20 years as a local elected Councilman and 4 years as Mayor of College Park, MD. It was at NSA where he met the love of his life Ethel.... Click to learn more about Mike

Chuck spent most of his adult years in Maryland, where he built a distinguished 40+ year career with the Department of Defense in Washington, D.C. He was a former member of the Phoenix Society. Chuck was a long-time member and Benefactor donor of the National Cryptologic Foundation. He also volunteered with the National Cryptologic Museum. Please click on his name or photo to learn more about his life & the memorial services.

Ida began working at the National Security Agency in 1963, then left to teach Junior High School in Plattsburgh, NY while her husband, Buddy, served honorably in the Air Force until 1967. She moved to Laurel, Md. and resumed working at the National Security Agency from 1968 until retiring in 2001. Click on her name or photo to learn more.

Out of college, Frank moved to the D.C. area to start his career at the National Security Agency. He was a graduate of the National War College and was awarded the Exceptional Civilian Service Award. He worked for NSA for 39 years before retiring as an executive manager.  He was a former member of the Phoenix Society and an early and long-time member of the National Cryptologic Foundation. Click on his name or photo to learn more.

In 1960, Lawrence enlisted in the U.S. Army as a Telecommunications Specialist with the U.S. Army Security Agency. During his army career he spent two years in Okinawa and upon his return he was stationed at Arlington Hall. He was honorably discharged in 1964.

After his discharge he was assigned as a civilian to the Telecommunication Operations Division at the National Security Agency (NSA) as a Telecommunications Officer. He took assignments in England, attended the Armed Forces Staff College in Virginia, and his career took him to many countries around the world. He retired in 1997, his career at NSA having spanned 36 years. Click on his name or photo to learn more about his life and career.

After graduating from American University, Pat had a long and storied career as an Analyst and Manager for the National Security Agency. Pat was passionate about animal rescue, volunteering countless hours for a number of local animal rescue organizations. She also enjoyed many crafts and was an avid baker, earning many awards at the Howard County Fair. Click on her name or photo to learn more.

Long-time NCF member Ross Cory passed away at his Pasadena, Maryland residence on October 30, 2024 at the age of 92. Funeral services were held in early November in Colorado. Click on his name or photo to learn more.

David’s 30 year career at NSA was the perfect job and, when he retired as the Assistant Director for Facilities Security Services in 1997, he talked about his good fortune at finding a life’s work which answered his yearning to see the world while serving to protect his country. He proudly accepted the Meritorious Civilian Service Award, one of the highest honors presented by the Agency, before his retirement. He visited more than 65 countries on four continents and worked to cement broader understanding and cooperation. Please click on his name to learn more about his life and career.

John (Jack) served in the U.S. Army for two years and then went on to study aeronautical engineering and graduate with a degree in applied physics. After working for Sperry Rand, he began work with the Department of Defense, in a role that would define his career over the next 40 plus years. He retired in 1995. He was a member of the Phoenix Society. Click on his name or photo to learn more.

Berny took great pride in the work he did. As a young fellow and after graduating high school, he worked in Bethlehem, PA at a steel mill and was a union steward. He then began working at the National Security Agency, where he was a cryptologist and was part of revolutionizing computer networking. His family is very proud of him for his work and the many awards received, including the Meritorious Civilian Service Award. He was very happy! Click on his name or the memorial candle image to learn more about his life.

The NCF remembers long-standing Foundation member Edward D. Hoy. After graduating with a B.S. in Economics from Villanova University in 1954, Ed went to work for the National Security Agency, first in Arlington, VA, and then at Fort Meade, MD, until he retired in 1987. He also served in the US Army from 1955 to 1957. He was also a Lifetime member of the Phoenix Society. Click on his name or photo to learn more about his life.

The NCF remembers long-standing member, William Patterson. William worked for the NSA and lived in Hawaii and Thailand with his family before returning to Maryland. In his work, Bill developed an innovative program to prepare Thai language teachers and was widely respected in his field for his accomplishments, leadership and mentorship that shaped the program going forward. He was instrumental in the creation of the National Cryptologic Museum and a proud supporter for the rest of his life. Bill retired from the NSA in 1997 after a 42-year career involving the Thai, Lao and Vietnamese languages. He was a longtime member of the Phoenix Society. Points of pride are his work on Asian language computer fonts, co-authoring a 1994 version of the Lao-English Dictionary, and paving the way for the next generation of cryptolinguists to excel. Click on his name to learn more.

Mike Chernesky was employed by the National Security Agency for 36 years, retiring in 1999. He received many awards for outstanding achievements during his career. He was an avid sailor and spent many happy hours about his sailboat Summer Solstice. Mike and his wife, the former Madonna Smith, traveled extensively, especially in retirement. They visited all 50 states, more than 40 other countries, and attended at least one baseball game in every major league city. Click on his name or photo to learn more.

Marty retired from the U.S. Naval Reserves, as 0-5 in 2015. He was employed by the National Security Agency (NSA) and last served as the Chief, Strategic Engagement, the agency’s focal point for coordination with the White House, National Security Council, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, among others. While stationed in the Philippines, Marty experienced the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, and the evacuation of the base in 1991. On 9/11, he was assigned to the Pentagon when one of the aircraft crashed into the building, and in 2021, Marty led the NSA presence in Afghanistan through the US withdrawal. Other assignments included Germany, Djibouti, Honolulu HI, Miami, FL, and of course Ft. Meade. Click on his name or photo for more information.

George served as an Office Chief in the Research and Development Organization at NSA in 1979 with major program responsibility for developing future security technologies. He moved to the National Computer Security Center where on contract the first internet security cryptographic systems were developed. During that assignment for two years, he co-hosted the NSA/NIST (National Institute for Science and Technology) National Security Conference. His final job was as Director of Infosec Integration. Retiring from NSA in 1995, George continued consulting for an additional ten years, primarily with Windemere, LLC. George was a long-time member of the NCF. Click on his name or photo to learn more.

Peggy worked for the National Security Agency from 1968 to 2003 as a computer analyst. That is where she met the love of her life, Lewis Strader, whom she married in 1974. They lived in Severna Park, Greenbelt, and Millersville, Maryland before settling in Annapolis. Peggy was a long-standing member of both the National Cryptologic Foundation and the Phoenix Society. Click on Peggy's name or photo to learn more about her life.

Nancy M. Arteche, 84 passed away on April 15, 2024. Nancy retired from the Agency in 1995 with 36 years of service. She worked as a receptionist for the National Cryptologic Museum after her retirement and volunteered for the National Cryptologic Foundation. She was a former member of the Phoenix Society and National Cryptologic Foundation. Nancy was known as a very kind and caring person, and quite a "character"! Her faith was very important to her. She attended daily mass until a few days before her death. Nancy is survived by her daughter, Theresa and son, Jim, 4 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, with another on the way.

Ed Craig was a proud Marylander and enjoyed Maryland and Baltimore history. He was an avid Ravens and Orioles fan and served in the Maryland National Guard. He had a strong religious faith and was devoted to his family and the community. He worked at the Agency and was a long-time member of the Phoenix Society and National Cryptologic Foundation. Please click on his name or photo to learn more.

Bob served our nation at NSA for 30 years as a linguist, analyst, cryptologist, staff assistant and manager. He did two deployments to Vietnam in the 1960's and a four year tour in Germany from 1978 to 1982. Bob was awarded an Agency fellowship that enabled him to earn his master's degree in Intelligence Research. He retired in 1992 as the Deputy Department Head of the National Cryptologic School. Bob was a long-time member of the National Cryptoloigic Foundation. He also worked (and volunteered his time) for the Foundation for many years - assisting with programs and helping out in the office. He will be deeply missed and never forgotten. Click to learn more about Bob.

Mr. Anania worked at the Agency and retired in 1990 with 40 years of service. His work included frequent temporary travel (Cheltenham, Edzel, various German sites, Philippines, Shemya) and two overseas assignments in Misawa, Japan in the late 70s and Rome, Italy in the late 80s. He was a long time member (since 1998) of the National Cryptologic Foundation, as well as a member of the Phoenix Society. Mr. Anania died just short of his 96th birthday on 20 March 2024.

William Quinn Oscar Shelton Sr. retired from the Agency in 1999 after 36 years of employment. He was a long-time member of the National Cryptologic Foundation (since 1999) and was also a member of the Phoenix Society.

Nancy Pauline Roth passed away on January 29, 2024. Born in Richmond, Virginia to Harry and Sylvia Kamsky Roth, the family moved to Washington, DC to open the family business Roth Theatres. A graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, she attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, then a women's college. Upon graduation she was recruited to work for the National Security Agency, spending her whole career there until retirement. Nancy had a passion for tennis and traveling the world. She is survived by a sister, Carol, loving cousins and many devoted friends. Special thanks to Julia Bennett and Leonie Taylor, her attentive caregivers.

David Kahn, age 93, of The Bronx, New York passed away on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. David was born in New York, NY. The Foundation is deeply saddened by the loss of such a special member of our community. His legacy will live on through the amazing work he did over many decades. We are forever grateful for the many generous donations of rare artifacts and publications he made to the Foundation and Museum. Click on his name or photo to learn more.