Shawki Sleiman Ibrahim

Shawki Sleiman Ibrahim, loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully at his home on February 5, 2023 after a long illness. He was 89.

Shawki was born in Baakline, Lebanon, to the late Sleiman and Latifah (Hemadeh) Ibrahim. Shawki lost both parents as a child, but received housing, support, and education at the Druze orphanage in Lebanon through his early years. After high school, he moved to Liberia where he operated a general store for nearly a decade. He eventually saved enough money to immigrate to the United States to attend Columbia and Fairleigh Dickinson Universities, earning his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.

On June 14, 1969, he married his Palestinian-born wife, Katy, in Pennsylvania where they had met.

Shawki, Katy, and their young family moved to West Lafayette in 1972 when he began working at CTS Microelectronics. He quickly became known for his integrity, work ethic, intellect, and creativity. His innovations in semiconductor packaging for medical devices and defense applications led to seven US patents and numerous trade secrets. Shawki retired as Chief Engineer at CTS Microelectronics in 1998.

Shawki was an active supporter of education throughout his life and always remembered the impact that the orphanage had on his success. After retiring, Shawki and his family established several computer labs at the orphanage-based schools he attended as a child and young adult, providing technology skills to thousands of students. Their work inspired and led to the founding of Team4Tech, a non-profit that has supported technology-based education to over 100,000 students in 24 countries.

Shawki was also known for his love of gardening, his delicious Arabic cooking, and his dedication to planting 1,800 trees on the family’s property. He generously shared the fruits of his labor, and many family and friends experienced the smell of freshly-made Arabic bread upon entering his house.

Surviving are his wife, Katy, children Lila Ibrahim Liebat (Karl) of London, England, Nadia Mossburg (Matt) of Gainesville, Florida, and Dr. Nabeel Ibrahim (Dr. Asha Nayak) of Sunnyvale, California. He is also survived by three grandchildren: twins Annabel and Zoey Liebat, and Navin Ibrahim.

Services will be held at Tippecanoe Funeral and Cremation services Wednesday February 8, 2023 at 11:00. Interment will follow at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Shawki’s memory to the Druze Orphanage and Charitable Organization (https://www.druzecharity.org), which supports the orphanage where Shawki spent his youth, or Canine Companions for Independence (https://canine.org/), which has provided service dogs for daughter Nadia, including Tullis who Shawki lovingly cared for in his retirement.

Condolences(16)

Lenard Miller says
February 8, 2023 at 2:20 pm

It is with sadness that we learn of Shawki’s death, and with gratitude for the ties of friendship which connect our families. We appreciate the beautiful obituary commemorating his extraordinary life.
With great affection,
Dianne and Lenard
- REPLY
  Bonnie Hobbs says
  February 8, 2023 at 3:58 pm
  
  Sympathies and prayers for comfort to all the family. Especially Katy. Many blessings.
  - REPLY
    Nabeel Ibrahim says
    February 9, 2023 at 12:57 pm
    
    Thank you, Bonnie.
    
    -Nabeel
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  Nabeel Ibrahim says
  February 9, 2023 at 12:50 pm
  
  Thank you for your thoughts, Lenard and Dianne
  
  -Nabeel
Patrick Rich says
February 8, 2023 at 4:52 pm

Dear Katy and kids,
I’m so sorry for your loss! Shawki was one of my favorite people, though I didn’t spend a lot of time with him. I met him through Katy and would mostly see him when I dropped off eggs I’d sold them from my chickens. I had the distinct pleasure of having a tour led by Shawki of their garden including his pecan forest that he planted years earlier from Indiana State Nursery seedlings. That inspired me to plant 1000 trees on my own property. I helped him a few times weeding his vegetable garden which was always filled with interesting plant varieties. He didn’t use chemicals for that, which I greatly admired. He employed several needy youths to help with yard work over the years, a couple of which I’d brought his way. I know he was a very good influence in their troubled lives. I find myself tending my garden like Shawki quietly taught me, protecting whatever might take refuge there, like a stray duck who hid her eggs in a flower bed on the side of their house. He took great pains to make sure Tollis, Nadia’s retired service dog, steered clear of her clutch so that she could hatch her eggs in peace among his trampled flowers. Although I love Katy, I used to always hope Shawki would answer the door when I brought eggs. I loved hearing about his garden dramas in the peaceful manner in which he recounted them. Also, I often took home some goodies that he’d prepared from his abundant harvests. He left the world a better place than he entered. I hope I can do the same.
- REPLY
  Nabeel Ibrahim says
  February 9, 2023 at 12:52 pm
  
  Thank you, Patrick, for the kinds words and sharing your memories of dad. We’re so happy to hear that you planted so many trees. What a wonderful legacy to leave.
  
  -Nabeel
Jim Martucci says
February 8, 2023 at 7:47 pm

Shawki was a good mentor and friend to me when I was working for Cordis and spent several months at CTS, I had the privilege of eating at home wi the his family as well. He was a great man in all that he accomplished in his career and for the orphanages, God Bless him, Jim Martucci
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  Nabeel Ibrahim says
  February 9, 2023 at 12:55 pm
  
  Thank you, Jim, for sharing your experience working with dad. Food was a common theme among people who had the pleasure of interacting with dad and it’s one of the many great memories that will stay with us forever.
  
  -Nabeel
Stephen Lovejoy says
February 9, 2023 at 10:48 am

Katie,
I was saddened to hear the news about your husbands death. I still recall the fond memories of the time when both of us were at Purdue. May you and your children find happiness in the knowledge of a life well lived.
Stephen Lovejoy, Professor Emeritus at Purdue University and Michigan State University.
- REPLY
  Nabeel Ibrahim says
  February 9, 2023 at 12:56 pm
  
  Thank you for your kind words, Stephen.
  
  -Nabeel
Hassan K kais says
February 10, 2023 at 8:57 pm

Life is fulfilled when you depart the earthly world with good deeds, great family, good friends that respect and remember your humble friendship above all. Remembering the Druze orphanage home where you were you got your primary education as you expressed the importance to your children education. Life well lived our departed brother Shawki
I was honored to be present and give the last prayer on your blessed soul. Farewell our beloved brother
Your brother in the faith
Hassan k Kais
Hassan K kais says
February 10, 2023 at 8:57 pm

Life is fulfilled when you depart the earthly world with good deeds, great family, good friends that respect and remember your humble friendship above all. Remembering the Druze orphanage home where you were you got your primary education as you expressed the importance to your children education. Life well lived our departed brother Shawki
I was honored to be present and give the last prayer on your blessed soul. Farewell our beloved brother
Your brother in the faith
Hassan k Kais
Wael hamadeh says
February 13, 2023 at 11:07 am

What i should say about a great kind man, a bright loving and caring uncle, you will be missed khalo, may God bless your soul, Allah yerhamak. My deep condolences for you Lila, Nabil, Nadia and aunty Katy. Love you always. Wael k Hamadeh
Wael hamadeh says
February 13, 2023 at 11:10 am

What i should say about a great kind man, a bright loving and caring uncle, you will be missed khalo, may God bless your soul, Allah yerhamak. My deep condolences for you Lila, Nabil, Nadia and aunty Katy. Love you always.
Katia Albanese says
February 14, 2023 at 11:02 am

To Nadia and her family,

With deepest sympathy and condolences, our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. We know how important Shawki was to you all…especially to Nadia…and how much his presence will be missed.

Gone from our sight, but never our memories. Gone from our touch, but never our hearts.

Love always, Katia & Team
Jay Akridge says
February 20, 2023 at 10:53 am

Please know you are in our thoughts and our prayers at this most difficult time…we are thinking about you all on Shawki’s passing…
Jay and Michelle Akridge

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February 16, 1933 - February 5, 2023

Condolences(16)

Lenard Miller says

Bonnie Hobbs says

Nabeel Ibrahim says

Nabeel Ibrahim says

Patrick Rich says

Nabeel Ibrahim says

Jim Martucci says

Nabeel Ibrahim says

Stephen Lovejoy says

Nabeel Ibrahim says

Hassan K kais says

Hassan K kais says

Wael hamadeh says

Wael hamadeh says

Katia Albanese says

Jay Akridge says

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