Robert "Carter" Morris

Robert “Carter” Morris, 81, who retired from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in 2023 as one of the most senior and tenured officers with the civilian rank, died Thursday, February 13, 2025, after a brief illness, in Tallahassee. Carter was born in Columbia, Virginia, October 3, 1943. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Hampden-Sydney College in 1966 and a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Virginia (UVA). He served on the faculty of UVA in the Physics Department before accepting a position at Florida State University. In 1984, Carter relocated to Washington, D.C. and joined the CIA Office of Research & Development (ORD). He served as a senior scientist and later in management positions. His focus at ORD was in support of human and signals intelligence operations and collection. Carter then served as the Special Assistant to the Director for Research and Development in the Nonproliferation Center, where he coordinated government-wide research to provide intelligence on foreign Weapons of Mass Destruction activities. Carter was detailed by the CIA and served in several senior level positions to include Deputy Director of the Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT) group in the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA); Deputy Assistant Director of Central Intelligence for Collection; Director of Information Sharing and Knowledge Management; and Chief of Staff in the Office of Intelligence and Analysis at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Beginning in the fall of 2010, Carter held the CIA Chair position as a National Intelligence University (NIU) full professor. He was instrumental in the foundation of NIU’s School of Science and Technology Intelligence (SS&TI) in 2011, and helped it achieve accreditation. While at NIU, he ensured the curriculum for emerging and disruptive technologies intelligence, space intelligence, and technical collection was rich with classified intelligence. During his tenure he played a key role in the foundation and evolution of the NIU’s Faculty Senate and served as a previous Faculty Senate Chair. Carter was a mainstay of the teaching faculty; his clarity and thoughtfulness in the classroom provided many students with the opportunity to understand highly technical issues in intelligence. He was always challenging people’s thinking, which resulted in better decision making. With over a quarter-century of academic experience, Carter served as a stalwart faculty member and champion to improve SS&TI and NIU during his 12-plus years of service. He was and forever may be the most senior and accomplished intelligence officer in SS&TI and, in recognition, he was awarded the rank of Professor Emeritus in the Anthony G. Oettinger School of Science & Technology Intelligence at NIU. In recognition of his outstanding career dedicated to public service, Carter was recognized by his alma mater and received the Patrick Henry Award from Hampden-Sydney College’s Wilson Center for Leadership in the Public Interest in 2013. Carter served under eight different presidential administrations, retiring from the CIA in 2023. He was one of the most senior and tenured CIA officers with almost 40 years of service and having earned the rank as a Level IV Senior Intelligence Service civilian, which is equivalent to a four-star military flag officer. He will be greatly missed by his colleagues, but his contributions to the intelligence community continue through his legacy at NIU. Carter is survived by his son-in-law, Patrick Strauss, two grandchildren, Cody (Celia) and Jackson Strauss; his brother Barry; a niece Tracy Sheffield and nephew, Scott Morris; colleagues Dr. Mitchell Simmons, Dr. Brian Shaw, and Dr. John Rodriguez; his wife of 62 years, Nancy Morris; plus, many friends he made this past year at Tapestry Senior Living in Tallahassee. He was predeceased by his daughter, Belinda Strauss, and his parents, Robert Bernard and Ruby Christene. Carter lived a quiet life serving the country he loved dearly. In honor of his memory and service, the family has requested contributions to be made to the Big Bend Hospice Foundation, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308. A private service at Roselawn cemetery will be held at a later date. Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the family with arrangements.

Tributes

Robert "Carter" Morris

October 3, 1943 - February 13, 2025