Harold Winston (‘Hal’) Vorhies, Colonel, U.S. Army (retired)

Hal was born in Inglewood, California and spent his formative years in Burbank. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Cal Berkeley where he joined Army ROTC and was commissioned a 2d Lieutenant. He served nine years with the Quartermaster Corps and Field Artillery before assignment to the Army Security Agency, spending the remainder of his active duty in military intelligence. 

Hal served two tours in Vietnam and had assignments in France, Panama, Germany, and various domestic posts. He served in multiple command and staff positions, including Commander, Arlington Hall Station; Commander, 504th ASA Group; and Deputy Chief, NSA Europe. Hal earned a Master’s degree in International Relations at American University and attended the Army Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth and the National War College.

He retired from active duty in 1983. Decorations include five awards of the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Republic of Korea Order of Military Merit (for intelligence support to Seoul’s units in Vietnam), Republic of Vietnam Staff Service Honor Medal, and a parachutist badge. Colonel Vorhies was inducted into the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame in 1999. 

Following his Army service, Hal had a second career with E-Systems/Raytheon, primarily based in Brussels as Regional Vice President for Europe, Middle East, and Africa. He retired from Raytheon in 1995. 

Hal enjoyed skiing and scuba diving and was a skilled photographer. He is survived by his beloved companion of more than 25 years, Karen Mahalik, his brother Robert Vorhies, his sister Delores Nichols, daughters Holly Vorhies Cumberland and Maureen Tankersley, son-in-law Jason Tankersley, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Donations in his memory may be made to Army Emergency Relief.