Dr. Hussein Elsaid of Carbondale
Dr. Hussein Elsaid, 88, of Carbondale passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones.
He was born on Nov. 20, 1936, in Tanta, Egypt, to Hassan Elsaid and Olfat Elmogy. In 1968, he married Patricia Elsaid, who survives him.
Dr. Elsaid earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Cairo University, an MBA in finance from Northwestern University, and a Ph.D. in finance from the University of Illinois.
In 1967, he began a long and distinguished career at Southern Illinois University (SIU), where he rose through the ranks in the Department of Finance. He was appointed Department Chair in 1995 and served in that role until his retirement in 2006.
Under his leadership, the department earned international recognition, ranking in the top six percent of 923 finance research departments worldwide. He played a key role in founding the Saluki Student Investment Fund, the Financial Services Study Center’s Education-to-Business Partnership, and an External Advisory Board of prominent financial executives. Dr. Elsaid also contributed internationally, working with USAID in Egypt and teaching Executive MBA programs across Southeast Asia.
After 39 years of dedicated service at SIU, Dr. Elsaid retired in 2006. He and Patricia remained in southern Illinois, where they enjoyed traveling and spending time with family. He was an avid tennis player, a lover of the arts, and, above all, a devoted husband, father and grandfather. His warmth, intellect and lifelong passion for education left a lasting impact on all who knew him.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Patricia; his daughter, Susanne; his granddaughter, Emma; his brother, Mohamed; and many dear in-laws, Souad, Eglal, Michael, Barbara, Jeremy, Chris, Sue and Neil. He will also be deeply missed by his cherished nieces and nephews — Olfat, Fathey, Hassan, Maha, Ghada, Heba, Nahla, Khaled, Eahab, Abdel Moniem, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Melanie, Robert, Mairi and Ruairidh — and by many great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Ahmed, Nazmy and Atef; and his sisters-in-law, Shams and Effat.
A private burial took place on May 9. A celebration of life will follow in June.
Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
To view the obituary and/or to leave an online condolence for the family, visit crainsonline.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be made to Doctors Without Borders: doctorswithoutborders.org.