David Jeffrey (Jeff) Zehe, 74, died Thursday, August 10th at Johns Hopkins Hospital after a brief illness, surrounded by his loving family. Jeff was born on August 5th, 1943 in Grand Rapids, Michigan and was a long term resident of Severna Park, Maryland. He is survived by Elizabeth (Beth) Wittenbach Zehe, his loving wife of 52 years.

He is also survived by son Andrew Jeffrey Zehe and daughter-in-law Mary Zehe of Arlington, Virginia; son James Brooks Zehe and daughter-in-law Jennifer Thorpe of Severna Park; four grandchildren, Sara and Eli Zehe, and Hannah and Ryan Thorpe; one cousin, Rita Zehe of Cleveland, and many nieces and nephews.

Jeff graduated from Michigan State University with Bachelor's and Master's degrees in mathematics and completed post-graduate work at the University of Maryland, College Park. Jeff was a cryptologist at the National Security Agency for 45 years and retired with distinction as a member of the Senior Executive Service. His contributions to NSA's body of mathematical knowledge are still important to this day. He was a caring leader and a model for younger mathematicians. He was also a distinguished member of the Crypto Math Institute.

Jeff loved his family and friends, summers on Lake Michigan, international travel, the Chesapeake Bay and National Parks system, reading, mathematics, and he was an avid bridge player.

Friends and family are invited to the memorial service, to be held Thursday, August 17th, at 1:30 pm at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church, 611 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard, Severna Park, MD 21146. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Maryland chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 100 Painters Mills Road, Suite 800, Owings Mills, MD 21117.

Online condolences may be made at www.barrancofuneralhome.com