Telahoun Eshetu Gebrestsakik

Telahoun Eshetu Gebretsadik died peacefully on the evening of February 9 at his home in Apex, North Carolina surrounded by his wife of 44 years, Aster Habtemichael, children and grandchildren. He was 76.

He was born in Nazareth, the son of Lakech Andarge, and Eshetu Gebretsadik he grew up around the town of Nazareth and briefly in Addis Ababa. He moved to Alexandria Minnesota in his high school years and Graduated high school from Jefferson Senior High School, his Bachelor of Arts from Concordia College and his Masters of Science in Agricultural Economics from North Dakota State University.

Longing to serve his country he left his Associate position at University of Nebraska and returned to Ethiopia and spent the next four decades helping to build the irrigation systems, fisheries, and agricultural infrastructure that now sustain millions.

He was, a general manager of Ethiopian Fisheries Authority, national project coordinator for the UNDP, and the head of Ethiopia's Boundary and Transboundary Water Resources Department. He sat on committees with Egypt and Sudan, advocating for Ethiopia's water rights along the Nile. He prepared master plans and evaluated feasibility studies. Later in his career he joined the private sector as the first CEO of ELFORA Agro -Industries and Partner at AL-MESH PLC.

He married Aster Habtemichael 1982, in a traditional ceremony in Addis Ababa. She survives him, along with their children and grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Zenebech, sons and daughters of his guardian father Ato Tegen and the extended family.

In his final years, he was a warm and charismatic presence around his grand family bestowed by his new name - 'grandpa'. He made sure the coffee pot was full if only for a short while, that the grand kids couldn't tell the difference between surprise and sweets and that grandma was always guessing when he was serious or just having a great time with his impeccable humor.

That is the irreplaceable loss he leaves us all with and the life we celebrate.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 14, at 11 a.m. at Debre Tabor Ethiopian Orthodox Church, 231 Taft Street, Durham, NC 27703 and funeral at Wake Memorial Park, 7002 Green Hope School Road Cary NC 27519 followed by a reception at the family home.