Sami Mokbel Nasreddine was a natural leader whose winning presence allowed him to take control of various situations with ease. Equipped with a clear and calculating focus, he possessed a tough-minded, “take charge” attitude. He had the ability to make even routine situations seem exciting, and he was at ease with the role of playing problem solver. Sami always sought out the scene of where the action was. Sociable, analytical and pleasant, Sami was an individual who enjoyed life’s challenges.
His parents were Mokbel Nasreddine and Randa Abou Hamdan. Sami was raised in Gharife Al-shouf, Lebanon. Always able to express himself well, Sami possessed strong interpersonal skills. He was optimistic in his outlook on life and was able at all times to be open and direct in his communication. Armed with a great wit, Sami was raised to be accepting of others and to implement a strong personal work ethic.
Blessed with a balanced attitude, Sami was able to relate well with others. His occasional role as family mediator gave him the opportunity to ease tense situations when they occurred. Sami was raised with three siblings, Nahil Nasreddine, Saveou Nasreddine, and Silvana Nasreddine. Sami had a strong desire to be treated fairly and would readily offer others the same fairness in return.
As a young child, Sami showed his creative ability in many ways. He was outgoing and animated. Sami enjoyed new activities and pursued a variety of interests, including hiking, biking, climbing trees and swimming. He was a "risk taker" known to jump from the top of a hill into the lake. In his spare time he enjoyed going on picnics, always seeking adventures and making friends everywhere he went. He liked to make those around him happy. Sami's memorable achievements included earning a golden medallion from boxing.
Known to others as a focused, logical, open-minded and somewhat driven individual, Sami was able to utilize these qualities to succeed in high school. His curious nature was spurred by his ability to maximize his personal learning style through employing a hands-on approach. He was good with facts and had an excellent memory. He graduated from Baakleen High School in 1994. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes. His favorite class in high school was English Literature. He was fun to be around; he was very attractive and knew how to plan a party; he was often was told how much he resembled the character from the movie, Grease. He was very smart, passing his government exam without studying!
When the goal of college was in sight, it became important to Sami. He came to Austin when he was a 19 years old to continue his education. Again, his direct, “down to earth” approach served him well. He was able to absorb complex concepts and had an acute sense of how things worked. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. He worked and studied and graduated on his own. He was ambitious, brave and worked hard. He had a great heart and loved life and he followed his dreams.
Sami was a flexible worker who was able to draw the best from others around him. A persuasive individual who was quick to make necessary decisions, Sami’s strengths included being able to think on his feet. He could be a leader who sought impact for his decisions. Sami was able to positively manipulate situations and motivate others in order to get a task completed. He was a good negotiator who enjoyed new challenges. Sami could multi-task, and he was endowed with entrepreneurial spirit, allowing him to think beyond standard norms when it came to resolving issues in his work environment. His primary occupation was International Mechanical Engineer for General Electric. He was employed for several companies in various management positions throughout the last 20 years.
Sami enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. He had something of an artistic flair in many of the things that he did. He put this creativity toward all of his pastimes. His favorite pursuits were traveling and diving (in which he was certified). He enjoyed all kinds of sport activities. He was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.
Because he liked to take risks, Sami was a perfect match for athletics and exercise. He was enthusiastic and confident about these activities. Recreational sports included skydiving, scuba diving, bunji jumping, and traveling around the world. Sami was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity.
Sami held close traditional values and as a result, faith was important to him. He respected all religions, a free spirit himself.
Sami’s natural leadership qualities placed him in consideration for public recognition, earning him accolades for his many and varied efforts throughout his life. One of his most prestigious awards included an award from the University of Texas for an Engineering Project.
Travel and vacations were experiences that Sami truly enjoyed. He preferred to seek out excitement wherever he went and he was partial to vacations that were casual and laid back with an atmosphere of “live and let live.” He was willing to leave his plans open and flexible, just in case something more interesting came along. Favorite vacations included Margarita Island. He loved this island and was excited about settling down. He liked a house on a beautiful beach with wonderful weather and wanted to buy it and bring his family there to share his dream with them.
Sami was a lover of animals, especially dogs, cats and horses.
Sami passed away on Monday, June 23, 2014 at Margarita Island, Venezuela. Sami was taken from this life violently and unjustly.
He is survived by his mother, two sisters and youngest brother.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Sunday, July 13, 2014 at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park.
Sami was the kind of person who could win others over easily. A concrete communicator, he relied on his senses to increase his involvement and awareness of others. He was always able to provide amusing repartee to his friends and acquaintances, offering a seemingly endless supply of quips, anecdotes, jokes and stories. If Sami had a theme song written about him, it might well have been “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” He enjoyed his life and the experience of living it. This is how everyone will remember Sami Mokbel Nasreddine.
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