David M. Griffin

1942 - 2022

GRIFFIN

DAVID M. GRIFFIN

David M. Griffin died peacefully on June 8, 2022, surrounded by family, after a month-long battle with pancreatic cancer. Born to James and Ruby Griffin on July 10, 1942 in Ann Arbor, MI, he graduated from University High School and went on to earn bachelor's and masters degrees from the University of Michigan.



He joined the U.S. Navy in 1966, embarking on a career in naval intelligence. He became an officer in 1967, and married Sally Keith of Kenilworth, Illinois in 1968. Two months later, he was assigned Commander Naval Forces in Vietnam for one year, and then to Navy aviation squadrons. He participated in five aircraft carrier cruises in the Pacific (1973-79) and the Mediterranean (1984-86). After his promotion to Captain, he was assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Operations Directorate from 1989 to 1992. He then moved to Director, Special Advisory Staff, in the Policy area of the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He retired from the U.S. Navy in December 1994, and he continued to hold the same position as a senior civilian advisor. He became the Director of the Special Advisor Staff in 1999 until his retirement in 2001.



His favorite pastimes involved outdoor activities and travel. Over the years he pursued birding, fly-fishing, sailing, biking, and kayaking throughout the region, along the C&O Canal, on the Chesapeake Bay, the Eastern Shore, and Assateague Island. Decades of tennis and skiing were also among his activities.



He may have gotten as much enjoyment from researching and planning trips as taking them, throughout the U.S. and many visits to Europe, often with friends. Birding trips to Costa Rica and Kenya were among the highlights.



When he was home, he was usually found in his corner of the couch reading The Post, a history book, or an espionage novel, alternating with watching nearly any sporting event.



In addition to Sally, survivors include daughters Emily Griffin (Haroun) of College Park, MD and Laura Glennon (Marc) of Hingham, MA, five grandchildren, Elyas, Zain, Jennah, Bennett, and Griffin, two brothers, John and James, two stepsisters, Susan and Helen Dewitt, and lifelong best friend Jim Griffith.



A service is planned for Tuesday, August 16 at 2 p.m. at All Saints Church in Chevy Chase, MD. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, National Audubon Society, or Montgomery Hospice. We are grateful for the care he received at Montgomery Hospice's Casey House.