Yacov Yosseph Haimes

1936 - 2022

Yacov Yosseph Haimes

June 18, 1936 - February 15, 2022

Yacov Yosseph Haimes, 85, of Charlottesville, Virginia passed away peacefully in his home on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.

Born on June 18, 1936 in Baghdad, Iraq, he was the son of Yosseph Hayim and Rosa Alani Hayim.

Yacov spent the first 13 years of his life in Baghdad until he and his family were forced to leave due to religious persecution. Yacov spent the next 10 years in Israel where he served as a Tank Commander in the Israeli Army and earned an Engineering Degree from the Hebrew University.

Yacov then came to the United States to continue his studies at UCLA where he earned a PhD in Civil and Systems Engineering. During this time, he met his wife Sonia, and they had their first child, Yosi. The family then moved to Cleveland where Yacov took a role as a Professor at Case Western Reserve University. Michelle was born in Cleveland and the family flourished there for the next 17 years.

In 1986 Yacov took a position in the Engineering Department at the University of Virginia. Over his 50 plus year professional career, Yacov distinguished himself as a global leader in Risk Management. He was a prolific publisher of both books and professional papers. His most influential work was the textbook "Risk Modeling, Assessment and Management". He was named a fellow in seven professional societies and was a past President of several of them. He also served on many national advisory boards including the United States Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Advisory Committee.

Yacov was also a leader in his community serving as Trustee and President of Congregation Beth Israel and was a 30 year member and past President of the Albemarle Rotary Club.

Whether in his personal or professional life, Yacov was always focused on helping others. At the Rotary he found an ethos that articulated how he lived his life, their four-way test. Is it Truth? Is it Fair to all concerned? Will it build Goodwill and Better Relationships? Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?

In Judaism the ideas of "If I'm not for myself, who will be?", "If I am only for myself, who am I?" and "If not now, when?" spoke to how he lived his life.

Yacov is survived by his loving wife, Sonia Haimes; his son, Yosi Haimes and wife, Gretchen of West Hartford, Conn.; his daughter, Michelle Matthews of Chino Hills, Calif.; his five grandchildren, Joshua Matthews, Adam Matthews, Zachary Haimes, Jenna Matthews and Rachel Haimes; his brother, Haskel Haim of Studio City, Calif. and his sister, Gila Hayim of Waltham, Mass.

A graveside funeral will take place on Friday, February 18, 2022 at 12 p.m. at the Congregation Beth Israel Hebrew Cemetery in Charlottesville, Va. Any who wish to attend are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Congregation Beth Israel Programming - Tzedakah Fund. A link is available on their website, www.cbicville.org. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.hillandwood.com.