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Eugene Patrick Sullivan, the oldest of three brothers, was born in New York City to Patrick and Margaret (Lynch) Sullivan on 13 December 1941. He attended Cardinal Hayes High School and Manhattan College, graduating in 1963 with a BA in political science. Gene then began a long association with The University of Notre Dame. As a graduate student in the Department of Government, Gene specialized in Soviet Studies, earning an MA in 1965. From 1965 until 1969, he served as an officer in the Navy. His major assignments included duty as a supply officer on the USS Annapolis in the Western Pacific during the Vietnam War and as an instructor at the Naval Academy. Gene returned to Notre Dame in 1969 to resume his studies, culminating in the award of a Ph.D in 1974.
Gene joined the Central Intelligence Agency in 1973 as a military analyst in the Office of Strategic Research. For most of his career, he specialized in the Soviet Navy, publishing numerous current intelligence articles and research papers, including his personal favorite, the now declassified 1990 Intelligence Assessment, “The Soviet Aircraft Carrier: Torpedoed by Perestroyka?” In addition to writing CIA publications, Gene participated as a drafter or CIA representative in the production of several now declassified interagency estimates, including the 1980 Interagency Intelligence Memorandum, “The Readiness of Soviet Naval Forces” and the 1983 National Intelligence Estimate “Soviet Naval Strategy and Programs Through the 1990s.” In addition to several CIA awards for exceptional performance and special achievement, Gene was chosen by his Intelligence Community colleagues to receive the Herman Dworkin Award for Excellence in Soviet Analysis in 1987. He attended the Armed Forces Staff College in 1977 and was a Visiting Professor at the Navy Postgraduate School in 1983. Gene retired from the Agency in 2005 but returned as a contract employee on the Directorate of Intelligence’s Product Evaluation staff until 2015.
In retirement, Gene enjoyed reading, following Notre Dame football and basketball, and watching with pride the accomplishments of his three grandchildren. Gene was quick witted and always ready with a spot-on quip. His family and friends enjoyed his perceptive insights on a variety of subjects including theater, film history, politics and current affairs. He also contributed as a volunteer to the Reston community for many years.
He will be remembered fondly by his wife Betty, daughter Andrea and son-in-law Drew Gould, daughter-in-law Barbara Sullivan, and his grandchildren Maggie, Brennan and Sean and brothers John (Mary Jane) and Patrick, O.F.M.Cap. A son, Lieutenant Patrick Sullivan USN, preceded him in death. Visitation will be April 7 at St. John Neumann Church, Reston, VA at 10:00 AM; Mass at 11 AM. Because of his zealous support for democratic principles, the family would appreciate donations be made to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Doctors Without Borders, or “Indivisible.”