OBITUARY
Kenneth Michael Absher
May 24, 1935 – August 25, 2012
Kenneth Michael Absher, 77, passed away Saturday, August 25, 2012 at his Bryan residence. Visitation will be Thursday, August 30, 2012 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Chapel, 1515 S. College Avenue, Bryan, Texas followed by the Rosary. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 31, 2012 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 603 Church Avenue, College Station, Texas. Burial arrangements are pending.
Mr. Absher was born in Wichita, Kansas on May 24, 1935. He was preceded in death by his parents Kenneth Bryan Absher of Oklahoma and Evelyn Costello Absher of Pleasanton, Kansas. Both the Absher and Costello families were from Ireland. His first wife, Patricia Shook Absher, also preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia J. Absher, and two daughters from his marriage to Patricia, Leslie Margaret Absher and Evelyn Claywell Absher. He is also survived by his younger brother, Thomas Absher and wife, Erika, and his three children and families: Robin Barstow and her husband and two daughters of Lamoine, Maine; Shannon Absher and her husband and six children of Glen Ridge, New Jersey; and Matthew Absher and his wife and daughter of Pasadena, California. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Roger F. Jadosz and wife, Susan of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, sister-in-law, Joyce B. Willis of Martinez, California, niece Amber F. Jadosz of San Francisco, California, nephew Evan F. Jadosz of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, and nephew Shawn F. Willis and wife Micheline and their two daughters, Cynthia and Stephanie of Walnut Creek, California. He is further survived by members of his first wife’s family, Anne Claywell Shook Aderhold and husband, James Edward Aderhold, Robert Aderhold, Jim Aderhold and wife, Kristina, Phil H. Shook and wife, Kitty, as well as numerous cousins.
Mr. Absher was raised in San Antonio, Texas. He attended Alamo Heights and Texas Military Institute before graduating from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1953. During his two years at Phillips Exeter Academy he was actively involved in the band, orchestra and dramatics. He served as band President in his senior year and earned all-club football honors. In the years following graduation he remained an enthusiastic supporter of the academy and Class, attending many class reunions, during one of which he entertained his Classmates with his prowess in magic. His service to Exeter and his Class included his present tenure as Class President in which role he was busy planning the Class’s 60th reunion set for May 2013. Mr. Absher received a BA in Philosophy from Princeton University in 1957, where he wrestled in his freshman year, was head announcer of the campus radio station in his sophomore year, and earned his varsity letter in fencing. As was the case with Exeter, he remained an enthusiastic alumnus of Princeton, attending many major reunions and retaining a membership in the Princeton Club in New York City.
After serving on active duty in the US Army for two years, Mr. Absher returned to San Antonio where he worked as a city manager trainee, and the city’s public information officer. He also served with the 36th Division, Texas National Guard, and was honorably discharged from the US Army in 1963. In December 1961, Mr. Absher moved to Washington, D.C. to begin his career with the Central Intelligence Agency. He retired from the CIA on July 31, 1993, as a member of the Senior Intelligence Service. He served over 31 years in the Directorate of Operations, now known as the National Clandestine Service. He was Chief of Station in Two different field assignments, and chief of base in two others. He had four tours in CIA headquarters managing foreign intelligence operations.
During his career, Mr. Absher served in Western Europe, the Caribbean and Indochina. He provided direct intelligence support to the US handling major Cold War events such as the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis; the Vietnam War; the 1983 military and rescue operation in Grenada (Operation “URGENT FURY”); and the break-up of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact. Mr. Absher holds the Medal for Civilian Service in Vietnam; a Certificate for Exceptional Service Under Conditions of Hazard or Hardship; four Meritorious Unit Citations; three Superior Performance Awards; letters of appreciation from several US Ambassadors, FBI, DEA and staff consultants to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. He was twice awarded the Intelligence Medal of Merit.
Since his retirement from the CIA, Mr. Absher had taught at the University of Texas at San Antonio, and from 1997 to 2002 at the National Defense Intelligence College in Washington, D.C. He was a consultant to the President’s Commission on the Roles and Capabilities of the United States Intelligence Community (the Aspin/Brown Commission) which published its appraisal of US intelligence in March 1996. He was a consultant to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and contributed to its staff study “IC 21: Intelligence Community in the 21st Century” published in April 1996. In 1999, Mr. Absher published as article in CIA’s “Studies in Intelligence” on the Agency’s role in Operation URGENT FURY. His article won an award from CIA’s Center for the Study of Intelligence.
From January 2003 to February 2005, Mr. Absher served on the Joint Terrorism Task Force in San Antonio. During 2005, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice appointed him to three accountability review boards to investigate terrorist attacks in Iraq which killed eleven US mission personnel. For seven weeks in the summer of 2006, he worked in the Office of the Director of CIA and the DNI representative at the headquarters of the US Pacific Command Assessing the North Korean Missile launches.
Since 2005, Mr. Absher served as Fellow of the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs and adjunct faculty member at the George Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University. In that capacity he encouraged and advised Bush School students interested in public service, particularly in the U.S. intelligence community. In 2011, Mr. Absher led a group of Bush School students in a Capstone research project assessing the effectiveness of interagency coordination within the intelligence community. The results of the study were briefed to the Director of National Intelligence. In 2009, he published a study of the role of intelligence in the Cuban Missile Crisis, Mindsets and Missiles: A First Hand Account of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Mr. Absher, together with co-authors Dr. Michael Desch and Ambassador Roman Popadiuk, in 2012 published the first scholarly account of the history and role of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board, Privileged and Confidential: The Secret History of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board.
Mr. Absher recently served on the Board of Directors of the World Affairs Council of San Antonio and other organizations, and on the Board of the National Defense Intelligence College Foundation in Washington, D.C. Mr. Absher was an active parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, College Station, Texas,
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Hospitalized Veterans of America or Veterans Inc., Worcester, Massachusetts.
Services
- Visitation Thursday, August 30, 2012
- Rosary Thursday, August 30, 2012
- Mass of Christian Burial Friday, August 31, 2012
- Memorial Mass Thursday, October 4, 2012
REMEMBERING
Kenneth Michael Absher
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RECEIVE UPDATESDr. James D. & Moni Calder
September 26, 2012
Cindy: Moni and I have just learned of Mike's passing and we are deeply sorry for your loss. I was so pleased that Mike could share his extensive knowledge and experience with my classes here at UT San Antonio. We always recall our wonderful visits with you and Mike when you lived in SA. He will be missed in so many different ways. From all your friends at UTSA, especially us, we send our love to you in this sad time.
September 8, 2012
I will remember the good times at TMI; and a few others.
One of the good people to remember when I think of long ago.
Frank Adelman
Josue Martinez
September 7, 2012
It was a pleasure to have been associated with Mike during his tenure with the Bureau. He was always a gentleman who willingly shared his insights and wisdom. He loved his calling and it is only through the contributions of selfless, dedicated individuals like Mike Absher that we enjoy the security and freedoms in our country. He leaves a great void. We hope the good Lord will give his family peace and strength during this difficult time.
Kevin Gordon
September 5, 2012
MIke gave me the biggest break of my career and I will never forget that. It was an honor to know him and an honor to have worked for him. He was a true professional.
September 3, 2012
Cindy, we are in Anchorage awaiting arrival of grandchild. Our heartfelt condolences to you. May the Lord fold His arms around you and keep you during this most difficult time. Lots of love from Maria and Don Austin
Bud & Betty Sparks
August 31, 2012
Our Deepest Sympathy To You Cindy...
Betty & Bud
Antonia Buxo
August 30, 2012
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Valerie Hudson
August 30, 2012
What a wonderful human being. He will be greatly missed.
Bill Muldoon
August 30, 2012
Mike, you were one of my best friends when we grew up together in Olmos Park. Although both of us have unsuccessfully tried to see each other several times since you and I retired, it looked like we would again visit in person in two weeks. Shucks, now we will have to wait a bit longer, until I join you in the Great Beyond. It has been privilege to have known you, Mike. Rest in Peace.
Dr. Pat LeMay Burr
August 29, 2012
Your dignity and professionalism meant so much to us all on the Board in the San Antonio World Affairs Council. Thank you for being our friend.
John Seffel
August 29, 2012
He was a fine man and citizen; people in all of his various "communities" will feel the loss of this gentleman of the World.
Barbara Schneider Rattan
August 29, 2012
What a privilege it has been to know Mike Absher for these past 18 years. He was a person of so many talents. His incredible kindness, intelligence, and integrity were admired by all who knew him. It was an honor to be his friend. He will be missed.
Barbara Schneider
Ana and George Elder
August 29, 2012
It was an honor to know such a wonderful man. George and I have had such good times with Michael and Cindy and were looking forward to more special times in Coral Gables. He will be missed by all that knew him. Our prayers go out to Cindy and family during this difficult time.
Tina Myers
August 29, 2012
I am thankful to have known Mr. Absher over the years. He was always very interesting and joking with us with his wry sense of humor. Mrs. Absher, I'm very sorry for your loss, no words can fill the emptiness for such a man. At work, my two favorite things to remember about Mr. Absher was his donating a shoe horn to assist patients with putting their shoes back on after weighing and his "pocket rolodex". If you needed a name or number for anyone, he could find it in his pocket of cards. On another note, I have a beautiful piece of artwork I was given as a wedding present which will have more meaning than before. My prayers are with you all.
Monique and Deacon David Reed
August 28, 2012
Goodbye, dear friend. We will miss you at Mass.
FROM THE FAMILY
IN THE CARE OF