Kenneth Michael Absher ’57

Mike Absher died Aug. 25, 2012, of pancreatic cancer in Bryan, Texas. He was 77.

Raised in San Antonio, Mike was a 1953 graduate of Exeter Academy. At Princeton Mike majored in philosophy, served as head announcer at WPRB sophomore year, earned a varsity letter in fencing, and was entertainment chair for Key and Seal.

After Army and municipal service in San Antonio, Mike commenced a 31-year career with the CIA in 1961. His service included intelligence support during major events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis and the breakup of the Soviet Union. Mike was twice awarded the Intelligence Medal of Merit and received the Medal for Civilian Service in Vietnam, among numerous other citations of merit.

Following his retirement in 1993, Mike taught at the University of Texas and at the National Defense Intelligence College, published several articles, and consulted on the President’s Commission on the Roles and Capabilities of the U.S. Intelligence Community, the Joint Terrorism Task Force, and Assessments of the North Korean Missile Launches. At the time of his death he was on the board of the National Defense Intelligence College Foundation.

Mike’s first wife, Patricia, died in 1981. Remarried in 1985, he is survived by his wife, Cynthia, and his daughters from his first marriage, Leslie and Evelyn. The class will miss this brave and patriotic American and sends condolences to his family.