Robert Ellett Rich

Robert Ellett Rich, a fourth-generation resident of the Washington area and former Deputy Director of the National Security Agency, died on September 21, 2025 in Olney, Maryland. He was 98. Mr. Rich was born in Washington, DC and, like his mother, attended Western High School in Georgetown. He was a 1949 magna cum laude graduate of Duke University, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He was also a graduate of the National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, class of 1968.

After graduate study at Duke, Mr. Rich joined the Armed Forces Security Agency, later the National Security Agency (NSA). His career at the agency spanned nearly the full extent of the cold war, from 1950 to 1990. During this time he held a wide variety of posts in the Washington area and abroad. He was on the staff of General Graves B. Erskine, USMC, Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Special Operations, and served also on the community staff of the Director of Central Intelligence at CIA Headquarters. He headed NSA operations in Japan and later was the senior agency officer in the United Kingdom. His appointment as Deputy Director of NSA was approved by the President in 1982 and he served in that capacity for four years.

In retirement Mr. Rich participated in a number of intelligence-related studies for government and industry and served on the board of directors of several non-profit organizations, including the National Cryptologic Museum Foundation, of which he was a founding member and first vice president. He also taught English to Asian immigrants under the Montgomery County Literacy Council.

His honors include the National Security Medal, presented by President Reagan in the Oval Office in July 1986; the Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award; the NSA Exceptional Civilian Service Award; and the Republic of Korea Order of the National Security Merit.

Mr. Rich was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Kathleen O'Toole Rich. He is survived by two sons, Christopher E. Rich (Lori van Gemert) of Great Falls, Virginia and John P. Rich (Donna Burkhardt Rich) of Cambridge Maryland; a daughter, Catherine E. Rich of Silver Spring, Maryland; a brother, Rev. Dr. W. Daniel Rich of Salisbury, Maryland; a sister, Betty Jane Boda of Cambridge, Maryland; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

A service will be held at the Main Post Chapel, Fort Meade Maryland, on October 22, 2025 at 11 a.m. A luncheon will follow the service.