Robert Allan Monson

Robert A. Monson Robert Allan Monson, 76, of Alexandria Virginia, died while sleeping at his home on Thursday May 22. The cause of death was gastric cancer. He was born in Kane, Pennsylvania on April 2, 1938, the son of Virginia Deems and Captain Charles Monson, a decorated soldier, killed in action in WWll. His early years were spent in Herman PA at St Fidelis College and Seminary, where he studied to become a Catholic priest. There as a young Capuchin friar he dedicated himself to the study of Philosophy and Latin, as well as foreign languages which would serve him well in later years. Deciding to forgo a religious vocation, he pursued higher education entering Georgetown University and the School of Foreign Service, where he earned his Doctorate of Philosophy in Political Sciences. The next 20 years of his life would be spent as a professor of Political Science at the University of Arkansas, where he raised his three surviving children, Ingrid Hunter of Dallas, Texas, Karen Monson of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Robert Monson of Zürich, Switzerland. Upon leaving academia, he began a distinguished twenty-year career with the CIA as an intelligence analyst which would see him work in Bonn and Berlin, Germany before and after the fall of the Berlin Wall and during its subsequent unification, in Ireland during the sectarian unrest of the Troubles, and finally after the September 11 terrorist attacks in the US, as a liaison with the Department of Transportation. The CIA has cited his unique ability to seamlessly work across a variety of departments sharing his analytical insight with others as well as for professional actions which greatly contributed to enhanced security after September 11. After retiring in 2010, he would continue traveling, learning languages, teaching and mentoring others while bringing them up to speed in their respective careers. He was an avid football fan, especially of the Pittsburgh Steelers, his hometown team. Those who knew him will remember a caring and sensitive father, friend and colleague whose wit, charm and humor made friends easily. A lifelong learner, Robert was always striving to deepen his understanding of the world, while taking every opportunity to teach and council others. Faithful to his religious upbringing, he was a modest man of simple needs, devoting himself to improving the human condition as a teacher, diplomat, and humanitarian. He is dearly loved and will be sorely missed by friends and family. Memorial services will be held on Thursday, May 29 2014 from 7:00 to 9:00pm at Demaine Funeral Home in Old Town Alexandria and a funeral mass will be held on Friday, May 30, 2014 at 11 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Old Town Alexandria.