Salah Y. Khayyat

October 20, 1938 – February 7, 2026

Salah Khayyat lived a life defined by service, integrity, good humor, curiosity, and connection.

Born in Baghdad, Iraq, Salah earned his first master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Baghdad before immigrating to the United States in January, 1964. He continued his education at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, where he completed a second master’s degree in civil engineering.

Salah devoted nearly 40 years of public service to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), where he worked as an engineer and later as a section head responsible for bridge design policies, specifications, and standards. Over the course of his career, he served as the lead designer on approximately 200 bridges and reviewed hundreds more, helping ensure the safety and durability of critical infrastructure across Illinois. His first bridge spanned Lake Springfield on Interstate 55 and opened in 1967. Much of his early work was completed before the use of computers, relying instead on slide rules, deep technical knowledge, and careful judgment.

Outside of work, Salah enjoyed tending his vegetable garden, a passion rooted in his childhood in Iraq, where his father was a prominent farmer. He was a competitive table tennis player and loved a round of golf. He was a fan of movies and sports, especially baseball and football, proudly cheering for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Fighting Illini. He also loved Sudoku and crosswords, which he simply called “his puzzles,” and enjoyed working on them daily. At the end of a hard-earned day, he appreciated a quiet glass of red wine.

Salah was known for his sense of humor and his love of conversation. He thrived on social interaction and enjoyed joking with friends, colleagues, family, and strangers alike. When asked how he was doing, his customary reply—“Still breathing”—was always followed by his laughter.

Above all, Salah loved his family. He was deeply devoted to his wife and proud of his children and grandchildren, and his joy in them was evident to anyone who spent time with him.

He was preceded in death by his wife of more than 50 years, Frances; and their son, Steve.

He is survived by his sons, Joe (Katy), Adnan (Sara), and Philip; and grandchildren, Alex, Amira, Ava, Will, Ella, Keegan, and Evan.

Salah’s legacy lives on through his family, their shared commitment to public service and education, the countless bridges he designed, and the values of humility, warmth, dedication, and kindness that guided his life.

Cremation will be provided by Butler Cremation Tribute Center.

The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL 62703.