KOURTZ PAUL BERNARD KOURTZ (Age 72) Of Fairfax, Virginia, passed away unexpectedly, on February 4, 2017. Paul was born on August 5, 1944, and was raised in Brockton, Massachusetts. Paul was first married to Donna Kourtz. He later fell in love with and married Maureen Margaret O'Brien. Paul leaves behind his wife, Sharon (Thorpe) Kourtz whom he loved until his recent death and with whom he had his only son, Collin William Thorpe Kourtz. Paul was a passionate Catholic. He relished studying and discussing the Bible. He enjoyed Irish dancing. He was proud to be a founding member of the Father Corby Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He was president of his neighborhood civic association, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Paul developed Pulmonary Hypertension and was appreciative of the support he received from the local PHA support group. Paul was an avid reader, connoisseur of shoot'em up westerns, and a collector of gadgets. Paul graduated from Boston College and George Washington University with degrees in physics, computer science, and systems science. He was also certified in System and Network Security by learning tree International. Paul served 45 years as a distinguished officer at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and was well known across the Intelligence Community and other US Government agencies for his work. He was a member of CIA's Senior Analytic Service and had high profile roles in effectively dealing with some of this country's most enduring and problematic intelligence challenges. Paul started his CIA career in the Directorate of Operations and after an overseas tour he became an analyst focused on naval and space weapons systems, electronic warfare issues, and threats to US space services. Paul rose through the ranks and was known as a subject matter expert in these areas, authoring numerous complex assessments of foreign technologies and programs for consumers at the White House, Congress, the National Security Council, the Department of Defense, and the Intelligence Community. He was the project engineer for CIA's first battery operated, concealable low light TV camera-a system which was successfully deployed on many occasions. The technology involved in the cameras was adapted by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to bring the US live, real-time coverage of the moon landing and other manned space events. Paul served as Vice Chair of the Director of National Intelligence Counterspace Subcommittee and Chair of three Weapons and Space Systems panels, including founding the Satellite Interference Panel and the Purposeful Interference Response Team.He also served as a CIA representative to the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization and was chairman of a panel investigating the effects of missile plumes on sensor data. Paul was an outstanding mentor and took pride in sharing his vast wealth of knowledge and experience to generations of officers throughout CIA and the US Government. He enjoyed mentoring his junior colleagues and loved to ask challenging questions to make sure every prospective was addressed. Paul was awarded an Intelligence Community National Intelligence Certificate of Distinction for his work on a highly classified National Intelligence Estimate. Paul's expertise has been recognized through 25 Exceptional Performance Awards from the CIA and National Intelligence Council and a commendation letter from former CIA Director George Tenet. In 2012, Paul was awarded the Career Intelligence Medal in recognition of his exceptional leadership, professionalism, and important contributions throughout his career. His integrity, intelligence, work ethic, lifelong dedication, and high performance throughout his career upheld the best standards of the CIA. After retiring from Government service, Paul continued supporting the US Government as a contractor, working for five years at SAIC/Leidos. His colleagues benefitted not only from his years of experience and the perspective that he brought to their work, but from the humor he found in work and life. Paul had fun at his job and his joy was contagious. Paul is survived by his wife, Sharon; son, Collin; two siblings, Kathy Ahearn and John J. Kourtz, Sr. as well as his loving extended family and in-laws, the Thorpe's and O'Brien's. Paul is preceded in death by his wife, Maureen M. Kourtz, and his parents, Nicholas and Kathleen Kourtz. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 9, 2017, from 3:30 to 5:30 and 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home, 9902 Braddock Road Fairfax, VA 22032. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m., on Friday, February 10, 2017, at St. Mary of Sorrows Church, 5222 Sideburn Road Fairfax, VA 22032. The burial will follow the funeral mass at Fairfax Memorial Park. Memorial donations may be given to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, 801 Roeder Road, Ste. 1000 Silver Spring, MD 20910, St. Mary of Sorrows Preschool, 5222 Sideburn Road Fairfax, VA 22032, Marian Homes, Inc., PO Box 7003 Fairfax Station, VA 22039, or Toward Educating America's Children (TEACH), PO Box 188 Burke VA 22009-0188. The Kourtz family wants to express their gratitude for all the love and support that they have received from friends and family during this difficult time.Memorial donations may be given to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, 801 Roeder Road, Ste. 1000 Silver Spring, MD 20910, St. Mary of Sorrows Preschool, 5222 Sideburn Road Fairfax, VA 22032, Marian Homes, Inc., PO Box 7003 Fairfax Station, VA 22039, or Toward Educating America's Children (TEACH), PO Box 188 Burke VA 22009-0188. The Kourtz family wants to express their gratitude for all the love and support that they have received from friends and family during this difficult time. www.FMFH.com