Armand B. Weiss

A Great Life of Service and Achievement

 Dr. Armand B. Weiss had a diverse background – economics, finance, science, management, logistics, and sports.  He has worked at high levels in the White House under both Democratic and Republican leadership, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, think tanks, non-profit organizations, and corporations.  Armand was president or executive director of dozens of groups, including the Washington Academy of Sciences and the National Council of Associations in the Policy Sciences.

 Armand spent about 35 years, off and on, performing often covert operations for the United States.  One of those “adventures” was serving for three years as a double agent for the Soviet Union and the U.S., but on the U.S. side.  The operation made the front pages of many newspapers, including the Washington Post, and was covered on radio and TV.  He is one of the principal subjects in the national best-selling book “Spy vs. Spy.”  But, this was just one of many roles through which he served the U.S.

He was a world traveler, visiting over 80 countries.  He earned eight medals, including gold, at Senior Olympics competitions; led the U.S. delegations to two NATO meetings in Europe; and was Chairman of the Advisory Panel of the Secretary of Defense’s Economic Analysis Council.  His published works fill more than a six-shelf bookcase. He was the founding editor of the first newsletter in the world in the field of cost-effectiveness and, for 17 years, founding editor of the world’s largest circulation publication in the fields of operations research and management science.

Some of his other accomplishments include:  a founder of the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve; designer of the ubiquitous gasoline octane label found on all U.S. gas pumps; a major writer of President Ford’s first State of the Union Message; and originator of the law which permits direct deposit of government pay checks to banks (reversing a law signed by President Abraham Lincoln).

A Navy veteran, he served the community and nation through many charitable, professional, and Democratic non-profits.  Until his death, he proudly served on the Board of Directors of Fairfax County Water Authority (and as its Treasurer and Chair of its Finance and Audit Committee). He was 2nd Vice President of the McLean Citizens Association; Chair of Dranesville Supervisor John Foust’s Budget Task Force for Fairfax County; a member of the McLean Planning Committee; president of two corporations; and on the Board (and past president) of Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church.  Among the other organizations which he supported for many years was the Boy Scouts of America, in which he was an Eagle Scout.

Armand received his B.S. in Economics and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and his Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) from George Washington University.  He has been Alumni Club president at both schools and received the outstanding Alumni Award at both schools.  He was also a Certified Association Executive. He is listed in many current biographies, including Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in Science and Engineering, and Who’s Who in Finance and Business.

Armand was born in Richmond, Virginia, and was raised there.  He resided in the McLean-Falls Church, Virginia, area with his family since 1965.  On November 27, after fighting several health setbacks, he died at home, peacefully sleeping in his bed as was his oft-stated wish.

He was an optimistic person, living a great life of service, achievement, and intrigue.  He also was a life-long learner.  He was particularly delighted by classical music, current events, sports, cats and dogs, reading, his beloved recliner, James Bond and other espionage movies, WWII documentaries, and virtually any cuisine, from the most exotic to McDonald’s Sausage Egg McMuffins and mocha frappes.

He leaves behind his daughter Jo Ann Weiss, son Rhett Weiss, and 5 grandchildren:  Aaron, Alex, Andrew, Alison and Heidi. Judy Weiss, his wife of almost 60 years, predeceased him four years ago.

A public viewing is scheduled for Thursday 3 December from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Everly Funeral Home in Falls Church, followed by an in-person and virtual graveside burial service with military honors at King David Memorial Garden in Falls Church on Friday the 4th at 2 PM and a virtual Shiva memorial service on Saturday the 5th at 7:30 PM.

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