M. Hamdy Bechir

M. Hamdy Bechir, 78, born in Mitghamr, Egypt on 7/5/1935, played soccer in a semi-pro league and attended Cairo University, where he received a Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering. After working briefly in Kuwait he traveled to Toronto Canada, where he received a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering. His next move was to Cambridge, MA and MIT, where he received a Doctor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering/Environmental Engineering.

After a year, and a marriage to Jacquelyn Ducharme, they moved to Stillwater, OK, where he taught Civil and Environmental Engineering at Oklahoma State University. He went on to own his own engineering consulting firm and eventually became a full professor at the University of New Haven, where he retired as Professor Emeritus. He was also active in several professional associations in the environmental engineering field, and held offices in several. He retired in 1995 and moved to Melbourne Beach, FL with his wife, Jacquelyn. He enjoyed playing cards, but mostly loved the game of golf and watching baseball and golf on TV.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Jacquelyn, and daughters: Cathye-Louise Bechir, Sandra L. (Bechir) Cummings, and Nancy J (Bechir) Thurston and son-in-law Adam Thurston. He had six grandchildren: D.J. Cummings, Brian Cummings, Sean Cummings, Rachel W. Grabarek, Rory Thurston and Ian Thurston; two great granddaughters: Penelope and Abigail Cummings.

He will be greatly missed by his family, his friends and neighbors and his pals at Spessard Holland Golf Course.

A memorial service will be held Monday (6/16) at 2PM at Fountainhead Funeral Home.