| Robert L. Shortley |
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ROBERT L. SHORTLEY (Age 88) Robert L. Shortley,
an influential consultant and political advisor, veteran of the
Okinawa Campaign and special agent to the F.B.I., died
peacefully at his home in McLean, Virginia on Tuesday,
August 3, 2010.
Robert was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but moved to Washington D.C.
and graduated from Gonzaga High School. He earned his B.S. in Business and
Public Administration from the School of Foreign Service, Georgetown
University.
In 1942, he joined the United States Marine Corps and was commissioned a
1st Lieutenant serving honorably during the Okinawa Campaign and the
occupation of China before his discharge in 1946. Upon returning home he
tried a year of Law School at Georgetown University before joining the
Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1947. This began a long career in public
service first as a special agent in the F.B.I., then a U.S. Senate staff member,
and later as Special Assistant. to the Agency Administrator for Executive
Placement in the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and
finally as Director of World-wide Inspections, Investigations and Security,
USAID.
Even after leaving government service Robert kept his close ties to
Washington D.C. as president of both Interspec, Inc., an International security
firm, and National Public Affairs Corp., a firm devoted to representing
Washington in overseas business activity. As a private consultant and Political
Advisor, Robert was instrumental in the surprise endorsement of Ronald
Reagan for president in 1980 by Senator Eugene McCarthy.
Robert was a member of the Knights of Malta, Friendly Sons of St. Patrick,
Society of Former Special Agents of the F.B.I., Disabled American Veterans
and the American Legion.
He is a founder of the Washington Legal Foundation and was on the Board of
Directors of NCPAC.
Robert is the beloved husband of Maiselle D. Shortley; Loving father of
Robert A. Shortley and brother of Michael J., Barbara, Thomas and James
Shortley. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at Murphy Falls Church Funeral Home, 1102 W. Broad St.,
Falls Church, VA from 4 to 7 pm on Sunday, August 8. A Mass of Christian
Burial will be offered at St. John the Beloved Catholic Church, 6420 Linway
Terrace, McLean, VA, 10:30 a.m., on Monday, August 9. Interment with full
military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on a date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers Memorial Contributions may be made to Society of the
Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, Scholarship Foundation, c/o Bank of
Georgetown, 1054 31st St., NW, Washington, DC 20007 and/or Society of
Former Special Agents of the F.B.I., Inc., 3717 Fettler Park Dr., Dumfries,
VA 22025, www.socxfbi.org .
Published in The Washington Post on August 6, 2010
