Obituaries

In Memoriam

Leonard Whistler - Former U.S. Intelligence Officer

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Leonard Whistler, II of Potomac, MD on July 21, 2025 at the age of 92. Len was the beloved husband of Kathryn 'Kate' Kissane Whistler. Kate Whistler passed away on Palm Sunday of 2024 and we hope that she and Leonard will meet again in a better place. 

'Len' was born in Syracuse, NY on December 5, 1932. The last of four children, as the baby of the family he was loved dearly by his mother and older siblings, especially after the unfortunate death of their father, also Leonard, in an automobile accident when young Len was just 2 years old.  

Always hard-working and bright, Len was a proud Eagle Scout and an excellent scholar. He attended Brown University in Providence, RI, where he met his future wife, Kathryn Kissane. Len graduated from Brown University in 1955 followed by a master's degree in international relations.  

Len's life of international service started when he joined the US Navy. To fulfill his ROTC training, Len served in the Navy on the destroyer USS Hammerberg. 

Following his service in the Navy, Len started his lifelong career as an intelligence officer with the U.S. government. For over forty years his work took him to all corners of the globe including overseas assignments in Brazil, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic. Additionally, Len served his country with honor in Vietnam from 1970-71. 

Read his full obituary.