Dr. Desalegn Seyum

Dr. Desalegn Seyum Gammada passed away in his home in Aurora, CO on the morning of Sunday, December 19, 2021. He was surrounded by his wife, his six children, his younger brother, and other loving family members and friends.

Dr. Desalegn, “Obbo Desalegn” was known and greatly loved for his ever-growing curiosity and ability to make any stranger feel very important and special. His infectious and genuine smiles carried with them stories of persistence and perseverance. He welcomed all challenges and always strived to see them to their end.

Obbo Desalegn was born on July 23 1945 in Wasti, Wolega, Ethiopia to his mother Weizero Yeshiemebet Nagaya and his father Fitawrari Seyum Gammada. He was the third youngest of his remarkable fifteen siblings. He lost his mother and father at a tender age, effectively leaving him and his immediate siblings orphaned while very young. This however did not stop him from full self-determination and academic interest. He would always be the top student of his class and was selected to attend Leul Baedemariam (preparatory school for nationally ranked top students). After which he found himself at Addis Ababa University where he earned his masters degree in arts and world literature. He was supported in this academic endeavor by the loving act of his younger brother, Zelalem Seyum Gammada.

After graduating from Addis Abeba University, he taught linguistics at Awasa, Addis Abeba and Alamaya Universities. He then competed for and was awarded the Fulbright scholarship to complete his doctorate degree in Sociology and Environmental Sciences at Oklahoma State University in 1992. A few years later, he began his journey as an enthusiastic professor at Langston University in Oklahoma and several other universities. After retiring and settling in Aurora, Colorado, he continued to be passionately engaged in Ethiopian community activities, volunteering in local hospitals, and imparting wisdom to the younger generation.

He met the love of his life, Fatuma Siraj, while studying at the University of Addis Ababa, while he was leading Edget B’hibret (“Growing Together” a community building project that was carried out by college students in various parts of Ethiopia) in her hometown of Koka. During this project, Obbo Desalegn, and his team built a school in Koka that still stands today. Dr. Desalegn and Weizero Fatuma Siraj were married in 1979. Their marriage was blessed with six wonderful children, Soreti, Ayantu, Aboma, Gugsa, Talile, and Kaniso Desalegn. Dr. Desalegn’s wife, children, grand-children, and his birth country of Ethiopia were the pride and joy of his life.

Obbo Desalegn is survived by his dear wife of 42 years, six children, six grand-children, younger brother, young sister, and a large community of loving friends and family.

A celebration of his life will be held at Ethiopian Evangelical Church of Denver.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Dr. Desalegn Memorial Scholarship Fund (shorturl.at/bjGTV)