Ali Abutaha, 74, of Manassas, Virginia, passed away, Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at Prince William Hospital, surrounded by family. He was admitted to the hospital one week prior to passing, and was allowed to receive a visit from his beloved dog, Sachi.
Ali was born January 4, 1943, in Palestine, to Fahmi and Zahra Abutaha. He graduated from George Washington University in 1972 with a degree in Engineering. On November 25, 1970 he married the former Greta Pollyn from Baardegem, Belgium. They met in Washington, DC and remained married.
Since the 1950s, Ali worked as a mathematician, aerospace engineer, executive, physicist, and philosopher. He produced unparalleled discoveries and inventions. His specialties included the mathematics of the “One and Many” in physics, philosophy and the arts. He was also an active lecturer, on topics such as failure mechanisms in modern systems, how to avoid failures, and how to investigate design failures of modern systems.
Ali was an accomplished author of numerous studies, publications, and his book, "The Action Reaction Law - A Historical Mess and Mathematics of the One and Many." Ali liked to share the simple mathematics of the One and Many, Yin and Yang, Atman and Brahman, and E Pluribus Unum, with scientists, engineers, philosophers, artists, and the general public. He had a unique ability to articulate complex concepts to the layman.
Ali was fluent in 6 languages, and travelled internationally for business and pleasure. Ali was also an avid reader of many scientific disciplines.
Ali retired after a severe heart condition in 2004. Despite a 2-week prognosis of life, Ali thrived for an additional 13 years. Ali received a Shiba Inu, Sachi, to help him through his heart condition and they were inseparable friends for over 10 years. Ali was a pillar to the dogs at DC Shiba Inu Rescue’s Shiba HQ, helping to comfort and care for hundreds of rescues that came through the organization.
Ali is survived by his wife and his two children, Seri Abutaha and Nathalie Abutaha, both of Manassas, Virginia.
A celebration of life service will be announced at a later date.
Please sign the guestbook at www.bakerpostfh.com
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