Obituaries

Ken Minihan - Former NSA Director

Ken Minihan headed west on his final mission Saturday evening, rejoining his parents, Chuck and Shirley. He fought heroically till the end, surrounded by his wife, children, and one granddaughter, and when the timing was perfect, he let go like the gentleman he was, with grace and dignity.

Born of the Air Force, Ken was raised by a World War II B-26 bomber pilot and his bride, Colonel and Mrs. Chuck and Shirley Minihan, alongside his brothers Tim, Steve, and Chick. Together they shared a life of service, adventure, and unshakeable loyalty to each other.

As the oldest of four boys, Ken’s leadership qualities emerged early. He captained his high school football team in Florida and carried that same drive into college, where he served as President of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, President of the Interfraternity Council, and Cadet Colonel and Wing Commander of the Air Force ROTC detachment.

Commissioned through ROTC at Florida State University, Ken entered the Air Force as an officer and never stopped serving. He lived his life like every mission mattered and every person did too. Loyal to his country, loyal to his craft, and loyal to the men and women beside him, Ken embodied the best of his generation.

He fancied himself a spy, and he was. A master of intelligence, command, quiet resolve, and an insatiable, aggressive drive to make things better, Ken served at the highest levels of the Air Force and the Department of Defense, culminating as Director of the National Security Agency. A Vietnam veteran and Cold War warrior, his service stretched across three decades of conflict and change.

After the Air Force, Ken continued to serve. His passion for defending the nation endured as he fueled American innovation and industry, investing in and guiding companies that strengthened America’s cyber, intelligence, and national security foundations. His life’s mission never changed: to keep the nation safe, strong, and ready.  He was a distinguished member of the Phoenix Society