Dr. Hussein Elsaid

IN MEMORY OF: Dr. Hussein Elsaid Serving Location: CRAIN PLEASANT GROVE-MURDALE FUNERAL HOME 31 Memorial Drive, Murphysboro, Illinois Dr. Hussein Elsaid, age 88, of Carbondale, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on November 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 will take place on May 9th, 2025. A family hosted Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2025 at 2:00 PM at the Unitarian Fellowship in Carbondale, IL. In lieu of flowers, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be made to Doctors Without Borders. https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/ Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Dr. Hussein Elsaid

November 20, 1936 - May 7, 2025