Michael Stoianov Gloukhov

IS1 Michael Stoianov Gloukhov, USNR-Retired

Intelligence Specialist First Class Michael Stoianov Gloukhov, USNR-Retired, passed away on 1 August 2025, after a brave effort to overcome a long illness. He was 81-years-old. He accomplished his dream to publish his memoir, Sofia-Brussels-Washington in December, 2024. The book is available on Amazon in digital form.

Michael, as he was known to his loved ones, or Mike, as so many old and dear friends knew him, lived a life of extraordinary courage that was exemplified by his love for his family and for his adopted country.

Michael was born in Sofia, Bulgaria on 28 June 1944 amidst the allied bombings during the last year of World War II, and he grew up in the authoritarian system of a communist nation. Beginning in his youngest days, Michael consistently questioned the strictures of the totalitarianism in which he lived, and quickly developed a singular, unquenchable thirst for freedom. Finding ways to quietly subvert the system, Michael learned to find much desired, but prohibited, western goods on the black market, and surreptitiously managed his own profitable business, all the while yearning to be liberated from a system he despised.

Rather than accept membership in the communist party, which would guarantee him the privileged rank and the easy life of a junior officer, Michael thoroughly dismissed the opportunity, and accepted conscription into the enlisted ranks of the Bulgarian Army. There he endured harsh treatment throughout his first year. Despite severe abuse, he never wavered from, nor would he surrender, his dream of a better life.

In time, Michael began plotting his escape and eventually he managed to secure a coveted travel pass that would permit him to visit Yugoslavia and make his way to Italy. Once free, Michael would not return to Bulgaria under any circumstances until his native country could enjoy the very freedom he enjoyed in the West.

Settling in Brussels, Belgium, Michael found employment driving a taxi cab, supported his mother and sister, Nanette, and pursued a college education, eventually achieving a Ph.D. in Political Science. He was also meeting with a Central Intelligence Agency field officer and providing important background information about his Bulgarian military service.

Eventually, Michael made his way to the United States and secured employment with the Voice of America and for decades he used his Bulgarian, and fluency in French, Russian, and Serbo-Croatian, to combat fascism in any and all forms. Michael was relentless in his war on authoritarianism, working for the international broadcast agency, and only retired this year when he was forced to accept a delayed retirement when the agency was the target of massive cuts.

To repay the United States for its generosity in giving him a new home, Michael battled the almost insurmountable obstacles of age restrictions in order to enlist in the United States Navy. Initially, rejected because of his age, Michael refused to surrender and was relentless in pursuing his dream of serving his new country. At age 43, he successfully convinced Navy leadership to allow him to enlist as a Navy journalist with the understanding that forced retirement at age 60 precluded any pension or other retirement benefits. Upon becoming an American citizen, Michael continued his quest to destroy authoritarianism wherever it existed by transitioning to Naval Intelligence. For the remainder of his Navy Reserve career, Michael would frequently deploy overseas to serve as a translator for admirals, generals, other senior government leaders, and elected officials.

In the course of his career, Navy retirement regulations were adjusted and in 2007, Michael retired after twenty highly successful years with all of the benefits accorded to a Navy Reservist.

Michael loved his work, but there was no place he was happier than at home with his beautiful wife, Dobrinka, Doby to all, his son Ryan, and stepson, Peter. While the Voice of America was his calling, there was no greater love for Michael than his life companion. Michael was happiest in the company of his family, spending weekends at their country home, traveling, and entertaining friends. An invitation for dinner was an invitation to a veritable feast that could last the evening, always accompanied by laughter and stories. No one ever left their home without feeling satiated, experiencing friendship, and being welcomed.

Michael frequently spoke of his good fortune to have met Dobrinka, and sharing the life they made with each other. For Michael, there was but one love of his life, and the woman who melted his heart, gave him everlasting peace in life, and helped him to build their loving home.

His pride in Ryan and Peter as honorable and respectable gentlemen was unequaled, and he never failed to speak of both with great fulfillment. For Michael, family was his refuge, his place where harmony and joy brought him tranquility and calm.

May Michael's memory be a blessing for all those he loved and for the many lives he touched.

Visitation hours with the family will be from 11:00 – 2:00 pm on 13 September 2025. The memorial service will follow at 2:00.