Ambassador Hugh Montgomery
November 29, 1923 ~ April 6, 2017
Ambassador Hugh Montgomery
Scholar, teacher, soldier, spy, diplomat, loving husband and father, Ambassador Montgomery was all of these things and more. He spent close to 70 years serving his country all over the world.
He was born in Springfield, MA in 1923, grew up in Windsor Locks, CT working at the family company over the summers when off from the famous Loomis School. A proficient linguist, a trait he acquired from his mother, a language teacher, he entered Harvard University in 1941 and before he could finish, war erupted and he joined the 82nd Airborne Division. His facility for languages caught the eye of the OSS and he finished the war undertaking clandestine missions for them behind enemy lines. He helped liberate the Buchenwald Concentration Camp.
After the war, he finished his education at Harvard with a PhD in Romance Languages. He then taught at Harvard for a few years before joining the Central Intelligence Agency where he remained for his entire career except for brief interludes working at the State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research and serving as an Ambassador to the United Nations.
He retired at the age of 90 and spent his last years mentoring the younger generation of Intelligence Officers. In his active retirement he enjoyed his pool, crossword puzzles and word jumbles, reading, and his chairmanship of the OSS Society, especially planning for the National Museum of Intelligence and Special Operations.
He passed away on April 6 after a brief illness. He was a man of integrity, a true patriot who loved and served his God, his country and his family with grace, humility and distinction. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He is the loving husband of the late Annemarie Janak Montgomery and devoted father of Hugh (Karen) Montgomery, Jr. and Maria Montgomery.
Relatives and friends are invited to Ambassador Montgomery's Life Celebration at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple Ave., Vienna, VA on Tuesday, April 11 from 2-4 and 6-8. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1910 N. Randolph St, Arlington, VA 22207 at 11 AM. Interment will take place at Grove Cemetery in Windsor Locks, CT at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The OSS Society, 7700 Leesburg Pike, #324, Falls Church, VA 22043.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
Scholar, teacher, soldier, spy, diplomat, loving husband and father, Ambassador Montgomery was all of these things and more. He spent close to 70 years serving his country all over the world.
He was born in Springfield, MA in 1923, grew up in Windsor Locks, CT working at the family company over the summers when off from the famous Loomis School. A proficient linguist, a trait he acquired from his mother, a language teacher, he entered Harvard University in 1941 and before he could finish, war erupted and he joined the 82nd Airborne Division. His facility for languages caught the eye of the OSS and he finished the war undertaking clandestine missions for them behind enemy lines. He helped liberate the Buchenwald Concentration Camp.
After the war, he finished his education at Harvard with a PhD in Romance Languages. He then taught at Harvard for a few years before joining the Central Intelligence Agency where he remained for his entire career except for brief interludes working at the State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research and serving as an Ambassador to the United Nations.
He retired at the age of 90 and spent his last years mentoring the younger generation of Intelligence Officers. In his active retirement he enjoyed his pool, crossword puzzles and word jumbles, reading, and his chairmanship of the OSS Society, especially planning for the National Museum of Intelligence and Special Operations.
He passed away on April 6 after a brief illness. He was a man of integrity, a true patriot who loved and served his God, his country and his family with grace, humility and distinction. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He is the loving husband of the late Annemarie Janak Montgomery and devoted father of Hugh (Karen) Montgomery, Jr. and Maria Montgomery.
Relatives and friends are invited to Ambassador Montgomery's Life Celebration at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple Ave., Vienna, VA on Tuesday, April 11 from 2-4 and 6-8. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1910 N. Randolph St, Arlington, VA 22207 at 11 AM. Interment will take place at Grove Cemetery in Windsor Locks, CT at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The OSS Society, 7700 Leesburg Pike, #324, Falls Church, VA 22043.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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My heartfelt condolences to Hugh.Jr and Maria. Hugh was a humble, talented man who spent his long life making the world a better and safer place. t was an honor and privilege to know and work with him. Art Reinhardt, fellow OSS and Agency Veteran
I am Mr. Heinrich Rosenlehner’s son who met Amb. Montgomery in his capacity as station chief of German intelligence. We met Hugh and Annemarie as a family incl. Edward and my then young son. I was deeply impressed by Hugh who at first I deemed to be German and by Annemarie’s warmth towards everyone, especially my son. He was a great man and will be dearly missed. Marcus E. Rosenlehner, Attorney-at-law (Germany)
A kindly and true gentleman, and genuine hero. Ambassador Hugh will be sorely missed – Rest perpetual grant unto Hugh, O Lord, And let light perpetual shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the departed, through the Mercy of God, rest in Peace. Amen Fr Dick and Helen Kim
Deepest condolences. Amb. Montgomery was a true American hero. He embodied all the best in our Service and country. He was a role model and mentor tome. No award or recognition I ever received means more to me than the OSS Society presenting me with the Hugh Montgomery Award in 2016. One does not meet many truly great men in the course of a lifetime. Amb. Montgomery was one.
Ambassador Montgomery was my hero. A complete and true gentleman, scholar and courageous Patriot. We will miss him so much.
As station chief of the German Intelligence Service, I wish,on behalf of the Director of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND), Dr. Kahl, to express my deep condolences to the family of Ambassador Montgomery. Hugh Montgomery deserves great credit for all he did to foster German-American reconciliation and close bilateral ties. We will continue to preserve his legacy. I personally knew Mr. Montgomery only fleetingly; yet, our few encounters left a deep impression on me. He was one of those people through whom I learned how much wisdom and valuable life experience the elderly have.
I was sorry to learn of Ambassador Montgomery’s death. I had the honor to serve on his staff from 1997 to 2001. Ambassador Montgomery was a true gentleman, he treated everyone with dignity and respect. He was always willing to mentor and listen to his employees. The Ambassador created solutions that were in the collective best interests of the United States. He will be missed and remembered.
Ambassador Hugh Montgomery is an example of how diplomacy and intelligence in the free world should work. I was honored to work with him overseas and Washington. He is a giant in our history and current leaders should search through his work for examples of how it should be done, Except for his battered old typewriter, he was way ahead of his time. I send my sympathy to his family and friends and to the World who will miss his honesty, vision and trustworthiness.
I would like to express my sincere condolences to the family & friends of Ambassador Montgomery for your loss. The Bible is a great source of encouragement during times like this. May the “God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3) comfort you.