Robert Christopher “Chris” Guenther died peacefully on Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, with family at his side in Wilmington. He was 73.
He is survived by his wife, Joy Stanton Johnson (nie), of Magnolia; his son, Mark and son’s wife, Diane; his daughter, Stacey and daughter’s husband, Dana Doten; and four grandchildren, Harley and Mackenzie Guenther, and Joe and Ian Doten.
He was born in Richmond, Virginia, grew up in Dallas and lived most of his adult life in the Northern Virginia area. He and Joy became full-time residents of Wilmington in 2006 where he thoroughly enjoyed their community and friends. Chris served as president and vice president of the Senior Men’s Club of Wilmington and was active in the local U.S. Air Force Association. A dedicated Roman Catholic, he was a parishioner of the Basilica Shrine of St. Mary.
Chris is remembered for his quick wit, clever comments, extraordinary courage and remarkable intelligence. He savored political debate and loved military memorabilia. He was a lifelong enthusiast of architecture and could often be found sketching home floor plans and elevations. He always had at least one dog and is survived by dogs Baxter and Sam, both of whom are rescue dogs.
Chris retired in 2006, marking completion of 44 years of distinguished military and civilian government service to the United States. He was a patriot through and through and served proudly as both a military officer and civilian.
After serving as an officer in Air Force, he began his over 40-year civilian career in the United States Intelligence Community serving in six separate intelligence agencies. Key positions included deputy national intelligence officer for Warning; DIA deputy chief of technology; operations planner for the 1991 and 2003 Gulf War Air Campaigns and the 1970 Son Tay POW rescue attempt; DOD intelligence modeling and simulation coordinator; program director Europe, Joint Tactical Fusion and JSTARS Proof of Concept test demonstration.
He was presented with the DIA Exceptional Civilian Service Medal for his pioneering contributions in integrated real-time intelligence support to military operations. For his service in the European Command, he was awarded the Commander’s Medal. He pioneered intelligence modeling and simulation supporting mission rehearsal for which he received the DIA Director’s Medal. He was recognized by congress for his work in formalizing validation of threats to U.S. future weapons systems. CIA presented him the Certificate of Distinction for his work in national warning. In 2000, the director of Central Intelligence designated him a National Intelligence Community officer.
One of the family’s many highlights was their time spent in Germany, where Chris was stationed as a Department of Defense civilian during the 1980s. The family shares wonderful memories of traveling, living amongst a different culture and very poorly spoken German.
He earned a bachelor’s degree from Southern Methodist University, a master’s degree from the University of Rhode Island and was a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval War College.
His life will be celebrated at a funeral mass at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 1, 2014, at the Basilica Shrine of St. Mary in Wilmington. A reception will follow at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Mary Health Center, operated by the Basilica Shrine of St. Mary, and the Lower Cape Fear Hospice Center.
Please leave online condolences for the family at Andrews Mortuary.
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