Isam Habeeb was born in Kirkuk, Iraq in 1949. He earned his bachelor’s in statistics with a degree in fine arts from the University of Baghdad. For the next three years he worked in the United Nations as a senior programmer. He was known for his fine musical touch with the Arabic string instrument, the oud. His musical renown spread far and wide and a great many fellow musicians asked to collaborate with him over the years. Poet and musician are not the only titles he held - Isam was an astute entrepreneur since arriving to the states in 1979 and established West Cedar market as a beloved staple of downtown San Diego for nearly 35 years. When he was not being asked for guidance through his business expertise, he was enlightening others with his artistic craft. He is fondly remembered as a loving father by his three surviving children: Jacob, Carmen, and Eric.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.humphreymortuary.com for the Habeeb family.
