Alden was a great leader.  One of Alden’s outstanding attributes was his ability to make those working for him (his colleagues as he referred to us) feel important. 

It was about 1986 when Kirk Moody and I were working on a Sunday doing the last minute fixes to our first PADS system which we were going to ship the next day.  It had been announced earlier in the week that Alden had been promoted to VP.

So there we are on Sunday in the basement of 04 and to our surprise Alden walks in to see how things are going.  It sure makes the troops believe what they are doing is important when the VP comes by on Sunday to see how things are going.  

Alden was a fabulous representative for TRW.  Whenever he visited one of our customer sites where I had worked I would get phone calls from both their technical and management people praising his attitude and knowledge.  It was always an honor and a pleasure to have him visit a place where I had installed a system.  

Our Thursday lunch group will never be the same without Alden.

Al Munson, was a National Hero and wonderful Mentor to so many dedicated to protecting our Country.  I first met Al when I was active duty in the USAF and later as an executive with Boeing,  Al was part of our advisory group where we were blessed with his intellect and uncanny perspective on how best to support our Nation.  Because of the nature of our business ,few will know of his unparalleled contributions.  Our day to day lives are better off because of Al.

For those of us who worked with Al, we will never forget his  contributions and friendship to so many.

Alden was a wonderful friend. He taught our children how to water ski!  We loved it when he would sing the “tip toe through the tulips” song. Oh, there are so many wonderful memories!  We sure miss him and always will miss Alden!
The Drnek family

Dearest Al - I believe it was only last month that I heard your lilting voice at our INSA Cyber Council Call- always spot on!  I relied on your judgement and councel when you were at ODNI and I was at OPNAV N2/N6 and have loved and respected you ever since.  Save a place for me in Heaven, Terry Roberts

Al will be dearly missed by his many friends.  He made everybody and everything he was involved in better!  Brilliantly intelligent but always ready to learn,  Al was a dedicated patriot committed to the security of our nation.  There was no one like Al; he will be missed.  Peace be with you my friend.

I was thinking last week that it had been too long since I had spoken with Al, and I needed to give him a call.   I have gotten to the age where I understand at a gut level the saying "tomorrow is not promised," but Al's passing is a jarring, heart-breaking loss.

Al was my boss at ODNI, and as good a leader and manager as he was, he was  an even  better friend and mentor.   He was an expansive, curious, critical thinker,  relished a substantive discussion about uncountable topics, and always maintained an even-tempered, good-humored presence.  In a city filled with far too many people who feign listening to others while in reality they are simply waiting to speak, Al was an active, attentive listener.   I am certain I'm not alone in feeling our troubled world is diminished by his passing.   

Above all, Al was a good person and a good soul, a "mensch" as my tribe would say.  And as if all of that weren't enough, Al was a very accomplished and skilled model railroader, as adept at restoring cranky 1:87 scale steam and diesel locomotives to pristine running condition as he was building space systems that continue to underwrite our nation's security.  If you have a chance to visit the NRO, you'll see Al  recognized as one of the first inductees of NRO Pioneers for his contributions to the national space reconnaissance program. 

With apologies to you Al, given your skepticism about the presence of some Creator and power beyond us all,   may  your memory be blessed, and may your soul have been transported to God's presence on the wings of eagles.   With great respect and sadness, Gil

Over many decades I could always rely on Al for perspective, technological insight and, of course, wry humor. Al was a keeper of the flame for the Intelligence Community and his contributions and counsel worked greatly benefited our country as well as his professional colleagues, both young and old.
I will deeply miss listening to Al's take on the developments of the day. But, most especially, I could always rely on Al's immediate response each time I would send him a terrible pun: "Go to your room !'

Al was neither my friend nor my peer - we were separated by time and experience. Al was my mentor. He was generous with his time and wisdom. He set the example of what service to one's nation and community looked like and what was expected of those of us who wanted to contribute. 

I don't think I was special in this regard. Al was always generous and humble to any who asked his advice. I will miss his insight and wisdom and kindness. 

The nation and the community were better off for his service and we are all the poorer for his loss. 

Thank you, Al. 
-Joshua

Very sad news and a loss for the nation. I most recently saw Al at an intelligence community event last winter and kidded him for his backwards logic in traveling - yet again - from Southern California to frigid DC. In intelligence work Al was always insightful, always courteous, always amiable, always a valued friend. The nation is better off for his long service, and I'll miss talking with him, laughing with him, learning from him.

The Intelligence Community lost a great leader and friend. Those of us in the intelligence Professionals Strategic Studies Group will miss his monthly input with his witty and perceptive comments. A wonderful man and one of the good guys. We will miss him greatly.

We send our deepest sympathy to his family and wish comfort during this sad time.

Warmest regards,
Gwyn Whittaker
Chair, IP SSG

I was honored when Al decided to join our little weekly lunch group made up of mostly TRW /NG retirees, but he quickly became a dear friend to all of us. He constantly entertained us with his many stories and discussions of politics and human behavior. He was also the main impetus for starting our book club, providing us with endless examples of interesting books he had read. His passing is and was a horrific shock to us and one I have yet barely come to accept. His intelligence, humor, quick wit, empathy and friendship will never be forgotten.

Al was always a pleasure to be with. He was happy, friendly, smart, and just an all-round nice person. I thoroughly enjoyed working with him, learning from him, and laughing at his humor.  He was a good friend and he'll be missed.  May God bless him and his family. Sincerely, Rich O'Lear

OBITUARY

Alden Vincent Munson Jr.

April 9, 1942 – August 29, 2025

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