TAPS: Passing of Captain Hank Orejuela on 12 September 2025 at Age 85

Official Obituary: https://www.adamsgreen.com/obituaries/Henry-Orejuela?obId=45351668

Hank Orejuela passed away on 12 September 2025 in Reston, Virginia, after several years dealing with the effects of COVID in 2022 and a brief illness while spending the summer in Reston, Virginia. He served in the Navy as cryptologist from 1962 to 1985. His duty stations include NSGA Fort Meade, Commander, Sixth Fleet, and Headquarters Navy Security Group in Washington, D.C. He was the commanding officer of NSGA Misawa from 1981-84 and the Assistant Chief of Staff for CINCLANTFLT from 1984-5.

After retiring from the Navy in 1985, he continued to be involved with the SIGINT and DoD in the Washington, D.C. area. He led an advisory board for electrical engineering for many years at George Mason University. He dedicated his time, efforts, and expertise as an independent consultant to DoD as he reached out to companies of all sizes to introduce their technologies to DoD, especially start-up companies.

U.S. Navy Assignments:

NSGA Ft. Meade, Md. Apr 62-Oct 62
NAVSECGRUDET, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Nov 62-August 64
NSGA Ft. Meade, Md Sep 64-Oct 65
Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Ca. Dec 65-Dec 69
HQNAVSECGRU, Washington, DC Jun 70-Jun 75
COMSIXTHFLT, Staff Cryptologist Jul 75-October 77
COMNAVELEXSYSCOM, Washington, DC DEC 77-Jun 81
Commanding Officer, NSGA Misawa, Japan Aug 81-Jul 84
CINCLANTFLT (ACOS Cryptology) Aug 84- Jun 85

Civilian assignments:

1985-1987 Litton Itek Optical Systems, Director, International Program Dev
1987-1984 Lockheed Sanders, Director Signals Exploitation
1994-2002 Raytheon VP Information and Adv. Systems
2002-2004 BAE Systems VP Advanced Technologies
2004-2010 Space and Defense Systems
2011-2025 Applied Systems Analytics (Hank’s consulting company)

He focuses on Advanced Technology, Intelligence and IT applications consulting for the DOD. He supports the Rapid Reaction Transition Office in the office o the Assistant Secretary of Defense (RandE).

Dr. Orejuela served on the Board of Regents of the Potomac Institute of Policy Studies. He was a member of the Advisory Board of the George Mason University School of Electrical and Computer Engineering Dept. He was on the Technical Advisory Board of Sanmina-SCI Corp. and a number of high technology start-up companies.

Henry was married for 40 years to his wife, Karen Sue Orejuela (Minnie). He supported her in her career, and she did for his career. Henry and Karen traveled the world together, every one an adventure and opportunity to discover the world. He was a loving dad, trusted advisor, engineer, mentor, patriot, grandpa, and Pok. He had an amazing career in the US Navy (NSG) for over 20 years. After retiring from the Navy, he continued to be involved with the SIGINT and DoD around the Beltway. He led an Advisory Board for Electrical Engineering for many years at George Mason University. He dedicated his time, efforts, and expertise as an independent consultant to DoD as he reached out to companies of all sizes to introduce their technologies to DoD, especially start-up companies.

In the last few years, he has read many books about the War in the Pacific. He said he should have been there to work with Joe Rochefort, who broke the Japanese code. Being a very modest person, he never bragged about himself. Those of you who knew him in the military or industry know him as modest but also a brilliant man. As I read many comments on LinkedIn, I realize how special he was and how he was admired and respected by many who crossed paths with him. He was an engineer, cryptologist and leader who contributed through his work to keep our country safe.

Hank loved his family. He was interested in our grandkids’ lives. He encouraged them to learn how to save and invest their money. He supported them by attending many a lacrosse, soccer, or football game. He also focused on their academics and goals in life. It was a conversation as a grandpa and advisor. Since 1988, our every other-year family beach weeks were so special. Lots of fun at the beach, games, and pool time. We made this blended family a priority with love, laughter, and maybe a little bit of wine, Yeager, Baileys, and then of course Hank’s favorite—Starbucks with a chocolate croissant.

In addition to his parents, Hank is preceded in death by his brother, Richard Orejuela and his cousins, Jorge, Alfredito, Margarita Rosa, Diego, Monica, and Harold.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Karen Orejuela of Lakewood Ranch, Florida , his children, Vicki (Frank) Rossi of Alamo, CA, Daniel Orejuela (Rosaura) of San Jose, CA, Henry Allen Orejuela (Suzie) of Charlottesville, VA, Eric Blow (Val)., his grandchildren - Caroline Orejuela of Philadelphia, PA, Matthew Orejuela of Cincinnati, OH, Julia Orejuela of Tracy, CA, Nicholas Orejuela of Santa Cruz, CA. Caleb Blow of Herndon, VA, Jackson Blow of Herndon, VA, and Tristan Blow of Herndon, VA. Also survived by his cousins: Teresita Saavedra of Washington, DC. Gladys, Conchita (Dario), Marcella, Ana Maria, Pilar (Xavier), Teresita, Piedad, Ana Maria (Andres) Marcela (Mauricio) and many others in Colombia, South America.