KAMAL N YACOUB's Obituary
With a heavy heart, we inform you of the passing of Kamal Nasrallah Yousef Yacoub Ayoub on August 31, 2024, age 91, in South Miami, Florida. Kamal was surrounded by his loving family, including his beloved spouse of 60 years, Nabilah Yacoub, his son Ron Yacoub (daughter-in-law Liana Benitez Yacoub, and grandsons Victor and Marco Yacoub), his daughters Sima Yacoub and Mayroon Yacoub, as well as his cousin Ramzi Asfour and wife Vivian. He is survived by his brother, Naseem Yacoub, and many beloved cousins, nephews, and nieces in Nazareth and worldwide.
On November 11, 1932, Kamal was born in Nazareth, Palestine. He pursued one of his many passions by beginning his undergraduate electrical engineering studies at The Technion – Institute of Technology in the nearby city of Haifa. There, he received his bachelor’s degree, a significant achievement for a Palestinian in the area at the time. Afterward, in the early 1950s, he traveled to the United States to further his education at the prestigious University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where he earned both his Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Electrical Engineering and started his career as a professor.
During his time in Philadelphia, Kamal married Nabilah, who was also from his hometown of Nazareth. The two of them moved to Florida, and he took on the Professor of Electrical Engineering role at the University of Miami in 1966. During his 42+ years at the university, Kamal was nominated and served as Chairman of the College of Electrical Engineering and Chairman of the Faculty Senate during his tenure - all while raising his three children in their home in Coral Gables.
In 1987, The Kamal Yacoub Award for Undergraduate Scholarship in Electrical and Computer Engineering was established for students of outstanding performance. In return, Kamal had been recognized by his peers and students for his scholarship, leadership, character, and love of Alma Mater, and was inducted into the Iron Arrow Honor Society; the highest honor attained at the University of Miami. Kamal was also given the James McLamore Outstanding Service Award from the College of Engineering, representing his impact and dedication to the University of Miami community.
Above all, Kamal’s service in teaching was unmatched by his dedication to his loved ones. Not only was Kamal a great mentor and teacher to his students but also to his children, to whom he provided unconditional care and guidance and to all close to him. Kamal loved his entire family - near and far - very much; they were always in his thoughts.
Kamal Yacoub will be dearly missed by many.
May Christ give rest to the soul of ♱ Kamal, and may He grant comfort and strength to his family. Memory eternal!
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