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It is with profound sadness that we share that Chris Battle died today. He was 45. After a long fight against kidney cancer, Chris passed in the company of his mom, dad and wife, Dena. While he will be greatly missed, there is comfort in knowing he is no longer in pain and was surrounded by loving family in his last moments.

The sadness in this news is matched with awe at what he accomplished in an all-too-brief but prolific and successful life. Among his long list of victories and achievements was founding Security Debrief. In honor and tribute to his vision, we will continue to provide this blog as a humble testament to a great man.

In lieu of flowers, Chris’s family requests that donations be made toward kidney cancer research at Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center: www.hopkinscancerresearch.org. If you specify that the donation is in honor of Chris Battle, they will know to direct funds toward Dr. Hans Hammers’ kidney cancer research.

In the coming days, we will offer more thoughts and reflections on Chris’ life. We encourage all readers who knew Chris or admired his work to share your memories in the comments section, such that we might all cherish his life, even as we mourn his death.

The great artist when he comes, uses everything that has been discovered or known about his art up to that point, being able to accept or reject in a time so short it seems that the knowledge was born with him, rather than that he takes instantly what it takes the ordinary man a lifetime to know, and then the great artist goes beyond what has been done or known and makes something of his own.

Ernest Hemingway, Death in the Afternoon

Justin Hienz is Editor for Security Debrief. He blogs primarily on radicalization, aviation security, religious and Middle Eastern affairs, and communications. Read More