Fassil Gebre Kiros

In Loving Memory of the Late, Great, Professor Fassil G. Kiros
(June 5, 1936 – February 4, 2025)
It is with deep sorrow for our loss and profound gratitude for a life well-lived that, we announce the passing of Professor Fassil Gebre-Kiros. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, scholar, and visionary. Fassil Gebre-Kiros departed peacefully on February 4, 2025, at his home in Bowie, Maryland, with his devoted wife of 62 years, W/o Tarik Assaye Mitiké, and his loving family members by his side. Fassil was the lastborn of Betre-Yarek Gebre-Kiros Kidane-Mariam and Woizero Getenesh Yimam Zeleqe's 12 children.
Born on June 5, 1936 (Ginbot 28, 1928 E.C.) on Mount Zuquala, a few miles southeast of Addis Ababa, Fassil grew up in the aftermath of Mussolini's brutal war on Ethiopia. He tragically had scarcely any memory of his father, Betre-Yarek Gebre-Kiros, a celebrated clergyman who was once head of the renowned Tedbabe-Mariam Church in Ethiopia. Along with Fassil's older brother Tsehay, Betre-Yarek Gebre-Kiros fought valiantly alongside the Ethiopian Imperial Army to defend their homeland against fascist aggression. But Betre-Yarek Gebre-Kiros fell victim to the devastating effects of poison mustard gas-an inhumane chemical weapon illegally deployed by the fascist invaders. Fassil was just a toddler when his father finally succumbed to the effects of the lethal gas on March 21, 1940, at age 56.
The last son of of Betre-Yarek Gebre-Kiros was thus raised and fiercely protected by his widowed mother and his elder brothers -Yemane-Birhan, Medmim, Tsehay, and Seme Gebre-Kiros - who served as his mentors and guardians. His thirst for knowledge and academic prowess were evident from the start. Born into a family that deeply valued learning, he developed an indomitable spirit and a lifelong commitment to education. He excelled in his primary Ethiopian Orthodox Church schooling at Kidane-Mihret, acquiring proficiency in Amharic reading, writing and comprehension of liturgical texts, as well as proficiency in Ge'ez. He then transitioned to modern education, excelling at Teferi Mekonen primary school and later, at the Commercial School, where he graduated at the top of his class. It was there that he met the love of his life and his best friend-the beautiful, talented, and ever-vivacious Woizero Tarik Assaye Mitike, who was just as committed to her education.
A man of vision and extraordinary determination, Fassil relentlessly pursued and earned himself scholarship to the University of Southern California, where he obtained both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Business Administration, followed by a PhD in Economics, --further solidifying his expertise in economic development. It was during this period that his lifelong partnership with W/o Tarik was cemented. In an extraordinary turn of events Tarik would join him in California in 1960 to attend college. They were married in Los Angeles on August 5th 1962. Following the completion of their studies they returned to Ethiopia eager to contribute to their homeland and start a family. Together they built an exemplary life of love, family, and continued learning.
Fassil dedicated over three decades of his storied career to administrative leadership, teaching, and research at the Addis Ababa University, serving as the University Vice-President for Administration and Development and as Dean of the College of Business Administration. As founding member and the first Executive Secretary of the Organization for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA), he tirelessly advocated for research-driven and evidence-based solutions to the development challenges facing African countries. His work extended beyond academia, influencing Ethiopia's rural development and education policies, elucidating the root causes of poverty, and championing economic and educational reforms for the rural poor.
He also travelled widely serving as a visiting scholar at leading universities, including UC Berkeley and Michigan State University, and actively participated in numerous scholarly forums. A pioneer in his field, he authored one of Ethiopia's first national development plans and numerous academic publications.
His final book, titled A Clarion Call: Enough with Famines in Ethiopia, encapsulated his lifelong commitment to evidence-based solutions for his beloved country's development challenges. Driven by his unwavering belief that Ethiopians had both the capacity and resources to chart their own development course, he advocated for locally-led strategies to address his native country's development challenges.
Beyond his career, Fassil was a lifelong admirer of the arts and literature. He translated passages from William Shakespeare's work into Amharic poetry, had an artistic eye for design that blended the traditional with the modern, and enjoyed both traditional Ethiopian music, as well as the popular American music of the 1950s and 60s that he had enjoyed during his time in California.
Above all, Fassil was a devoted husband, a loving father to his children - Temnet, Hareya, Leul, and Sefanit Fassil, a devoted uncle to many nieces, and nephews, and a grandfather to the children of his firstborn Sefanit and his son-in-law Yonas Nebiyeloul's children - Mela, Kassa, and Yared Nebiyeloul - who he was blessed to see grow into radiant young adults. Together with Tarik, he instilled in both his children and grandchildren enduring family values of respect, education, hard work, and integrity.
As we mourn his loss, we also celebrate his exemplary life of purpose, commitment, wisdom, and love.
Professor Fassil G. Kiros. Your legacy endures in your scholarship, the countless lives you touched, and the knowledge and all the love you shared. Rest in Peace, Fafi.
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1928 – 2017
/ 27 2017 / 12
1928 1932
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/ / 1954
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"A Clarion Call: Enough with Famines in Ethiopia"
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