S1965 Michael Spak 1947 - 2010

Mike's Obituary

Michael Robert Spak, 62, of Leesburg, died Jan. 25 while on a ski vacation with his family in Vail, CO.

Born on Nov. 1, 1947, in Los Angeles, CA, he was the son of Peter Jay Spak and Betty Jo Lasnick Spak of Carson City, NV.

He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at age 18 and completed two tours of combat duty in Vietnam from 1966-1969. Following his honorable discharge in 1969, he joined the Los Angeles Police Department, where he served on the Bomb Squad/Criminal Conspiracy Section for several years, becoming an expert on bomb detection, disposal and investigation. In 1974, he joined the Central Intelligence Agency, where he served for 23 years, first as an officer in the CIA's Directorate of Science and Technology and then in the Directorate of Operations. In the context of his work, he traveled the world from the Middle East to Africa and Asia. He also served in multiple long-term overseas assignments in Europe and Latin America. After retiring from government service in 1996, he started his own company, Virtual Defense & Development International, Inc. (VDI), an international consulting and professional services company specializing in matters of defense, law enforcement, security and intelligence, and post-conflict economic development. He served as president and chairman of VDI until the time of his death.

He was the founder and chairman of the local non-profit Loudoun Crime Commission; he was a founder of the newly-constructed National Museum of the Marine Corps at Quantico, and was active in the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation; and he served in the Loudoun County Marine Corps League Detachment, where he most recently held the position of judge advocate and was involved in its annual Toys for Tots campaign. In addition, he owned and operated Amber Creek Vineyard in Leesburg and was a member of the Loudoun Winegrowers Association. He was a lifelong member of the Masonic Lodge. He held two bachelor's degrees from George Mason University and American University, respectively, and at the time of his death was working towards his master's degree at American University.

In addition to his parents, his brother David Alan Spak also predeceased him. He is survived by his wife of 24 years Kristin Rickard Spak of Leesburg; children Jessica Lynn White of Ashburn, Brian Thomas Spak of Boulder, CO, and Nicholas Michael Spak, of Boulder, CO; two grandchildren: Kelsey Lynn White and Austin Ray White, both of Ashburn; a sister, Janis Lee Bradley of Carson City, NV; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Friends may call form 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18 at the Loudoun Funeral Chapel in Leesburg. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 19 at Ashburn Presbyterian Church. Interment will follow at 2 p.m. at Quantico National Cemetery with Marine Corps Honors.

Memorial contributions may be made to: The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, www.marineheritage.org, or the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, www.toysfortots.org.

[Loudoun Funeral Chapels]