Businessman, philanthropist Russell Ebeid dies
By: Andrea Blum
Source: Press and Guide
A business leader, longtime philanthropist and champion of the Arab American community has been lost with the death of Russell Ebeid.
Mr. Ebeid died July 30 at age 77.
Growing up in southwest Detroit, Ebeid said his parents were “knapsack immigrants” who left everything behind for the chance at a better life. With only an elementary school education themselves, Ebeid’s parents were not deterred from watching over their son’s shoulder as he successfully worked his way through the American education system.
A Lebanese American, Ebeid received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1962 from Kettering University (known then as General Motors Institute), a master’s degree in industrial engineering in 1968 from Detroit’s Wayne State University, and two honorary doctoral degrees in management and public service.
He began his career as a senior mechanical engineer at General Motors in 1963 and transitioned to Guardian Industries in the early 1970s — eventually becoming president and chairman of the board of Guardian Glass.
He spent more than 40 years in the glass industry before retiring in 2011, but retirement didn’t mean Ebeid stopped giving back; in fact, philanthropic work played such a substantial role in his life that it quickly became a part of his legacy.
He was named the National Arab American Businessman of the Year in 2003 and entered the Halls of Fame at Wayne State University and the National Commission for Cooperative Education. In 2010, he was recognized as the Trader of the Year for his work in promoting international trade.
Ebeid’s generosity led him to be knighted three times with the Order of Merit; to be awarded Ellis Island’s Medal of Honor in 2013, and to be granted audiences with kings and queens around the world. But despite his fame and legendary accomplishments, those who knew him said Ebeid never let success go to his head.
At the time of his death, he was a trustee of the Arab American National Museum, ProMedica Health Systems and Lourdes University, as well as owner of the Fairlane Club, which he purchased in a bank auction after his retirement and focused on restoring.
Through his scholarship programs, he supported underserved students attending Kettering University, Lourdes University and Wayne State University. He also served as a director of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan — an educational curriculum designed to teach and promote free market principles to the former socialist and emerging economies of third-world countries.
“Mr. Ebeid was a visionary and true role model of what a change agent looks like,” said ACCESS Deputy Executive Director and CFO Maha Freij. “I’m so honored that I had the opportunity to learn from him. He was a proud Arab American, and a man of true conviction and impeccable character. He fully believed that empowering people is not about giving them a handout, but rather, a hand up. Our world has, undoubtedly, suffered a true loss.”
ACCESS awarded Ebeid the “Making an Impact” award in 2008 In recognition of his philanthropic contributions to the Ebeid Hospice Residence of Toledo; the Ebeid Student Center, Ebeid Educational Hall and Ebeid Athletic Center at Lourdes University in Sylvania, Ohio; The Ebeid Institute for Population Health in Toledo and the Ebeid Family Scholarship Fund for disadvantaged Arab American students to attend his alma mater, Kettering University.
To honor his parents, he also provided scholarships to Lebanese students in their ancestral home.
Mr. Ebeid was the lead sponsor of an Emmy-winning documentary titled “Our Arab American Story” and the co-producer of a medical film titled “Ageing of Men.”
As a philanthropist, he made a difference by honoring his roots and giving back. That passion for helping others carried into his commitment to providing educational opportunities for underserved youth. He was a longstanding supporter of ACCESS, namely its two national institutions: the Arab American National Museum and the Center for Arab American Philanthropy.
“In Russ’s passing, we lost a giant leader of the Arab American community, a man who cared deeply about helping others realize their American dreams,” said Professor Fawwaz Ulaby, chair of AANM’s National Advisory Board. “Russ will always be remembered for his kindness, his philanthropy and his leadership.”
In 2014, he announced a $2 million legacy gift to the AANM. Ebeid included the gift in his will, and the money will go toward the museum’s Arab American Community Archive, which showcases the hard work and contributions of Arab Americans.
Also that year, AANM renamed its Library & Resource Center the Russell J. Ebeid Library & Resource Center in recognition of his longtime support.
Through the Ebeid Family Fund scholarship program, housed at CAAP, he supported the educational endeavors of numerous students from marginalized communities throughout the Detroit area and abroad. Recently, in keeping with the organization’s commitment to the revitalization of southeast Michigan and the city of Detroit, Ebeid was instrumental in supporting ACCESS’ strategy to expand its unique integrated service programing in two Detroit neighborhoods.
“Russ left an indelible legacy and set an example for us all,” AANM Director Devon Akmon said. “He worked hard and succeeded in life, but never forgot his roots and the value of giving back to the community.”
He is survived by his wife, Carolee; his brother, Fred; his four children, Carrie, Evon, Kevin and Scott; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday with a Rosary service set for 6 p.m. Thursday at A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home, 2600 Crooks Road, in Troy.
A funeral Mass is set for 10 a.m. Friday with 9:30 a.m. visitation at Most Holy Redeemer Church in Detroit.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ebeid Hospice Toledo or ACCESS of Dearborn.