Thu Mar 18 2010
Thomas Kimber Longstreth, 52, former undersecretary of defense for readiness and training, died of organ failure April 28, 2009, at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington.
Mr. Longstreth grew up in Hudson and graduated from Western Reserve Academy in 1974, where his father, Frank "Stretch" Longstreth, was a longtime Latin master and track coach. He earned his undergraduate degree from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn. In 1984, he completed the master's degree program in defense analysis and security policy studies at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
Prior to his career in the Department of Defense, Mr. Longstreth worked for Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) as military legislative assistant until 1987, then for the Federation of American Scientists until joining the Defense Department.
His career in the Department of Defense began in 1990 with an appointment to the Joint Staff where he contributed to planning for operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield (Iraq) and Restore Hope (Somalia). He later directed the department's Somalia and Bosnia task forces. Mr. Longstreth served as principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for strategy and requirements from 1994-97 and deputy assistant secretary of defense for European and NATO affairs. In 1998 he was named deputy undersecretary of defense for readiness and training where he advised then Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen. In 2001 he joined Teledyne Technologies as vice president for strategic planning and government affairs. He later worked for the Rand Corp. and Center for Naval Analyses until 2007.
Mr. Longstreth was a recipient of the MacArthur Foundation research and writing grant in international relations (1988) and the Council of Foreign Relations international affairs fellowship (1990). He received the Secretary of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service and the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service, the two highest honors bestowed upon civilians by the Secretary of Defense.
Mr. Longstreth is survived by his companion, Crystal Denunzio of Arlington, and her daughter, Tasha, of McLean; his mother and stepfather, Martha C. and Bill Thomas of Haverford, Pa; a brother, two sisters, a stepbrother and three stepsisters.
Memorial contributions may be made to WRA. A memorial service will be June 6 from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Chapel at WRA. A reception will follow.
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