Press Release
The Intelligence Project remembers the legendary Chuck Cogan
It is with a heavy heart that the Intelligence Project must announce the passing of Dr. Charles G. Cogan, longtime associate and friend of Harvard University. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 14, 2017, a month shy of his 90th birthday. Chuck, as we knew him, continued to research, write, attend and contribute to Intelligence talks at Harvard until his finals days. We will all miss his indomitable spirit, razor-sharp mind, and cheerful interaction with all he encountered. He substantially enriched the educational experience of students, researchers, faculty and guests.
Dr. Cogan became an associate with the Intelligence Project at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs after an illustrious and legendary career in the CIA. Counted among the giants of his profession, Chuck served as the chief of the Near East and South Asia Division in the Directorate of Operations and as CIA chief of station in Paris.
After graduating Harvard College in 1949 with a B.A. in History, Chuck served in the CIA for 37 years before returning to Cambridge as a Research Fellow in the Intelligence and Policy Project. He was awarded a Doctorate in Public Administration from Harvard John F. Kennedy School of Government in 1992 and remained associated with Harvard University through a variety of fellowships and research appointments until the present day.
In addition to his time at the CIA and at Harvard, Chuck held positions at the Center for Science Strategic and International Studies, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Charles de Gaulle Foundation in Paris, and was a member of the Board of Overseers of the French Library in Boston. Before joining the CIA, he served his country in Korea as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. Chuck received a number of prestigious awards throughout his life, including but not limited to the Intelligence Medal of Merit and the grade of Officer in the French Order of the Legion d’honneur.
Chuck leaves behind his wife, Susan Abigail Yoder (Swarthmore ‘1959) and three children: Lissa, Abbie, and Geoffrey.
He will be missed by everyone whose lives he touched.