Jalal Tawfiq Salihi

Jalal was born in Sulaymania, Kurdistan (Iraq) on December 6, 1925 to Tawfiq and Attiya. He was the eldest son of eleven children and was a curious, energetic boy whose imagination knew no bounds. Among his favorite childhood memories were accompanying his father on business and “planting” money in the soil, hoping it would grow and make him rich one day.

After graduating high school, he received a prestigious merit scholarship. He left everything he knew to study engineering and learn English at Leeds University in England and earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering in just three years. He continued his education at University of California, Berkeley where he met the love of his life, Mary Celia Limón, a social work student. Jalal earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, in 1954 and 1958 respectively. Jalal and Mary were married in the Summer of 1957 and welcomed their daughter, Shereen, in 1958.

To honor his commitment to his country, the young family returned to Iraq where Jalal served as Dean of Engineering at University of Baghdad, Iraq from 1960-1963. Their son, Dana, was born in 1961. A doting father, Jalal's fondest memories were spending time with his children - such as driving through Baghdad with toddler Shereen standing on the center console, wrapping his arms around him lovingly.

In 1963, Jalal and his family returned to the United States where they lived in California, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Michigan. Over the course of his distinguished career, Jalal became a titan in the field of electrical engineering and was recognized as a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (IEEE). He received twenty-two patents for his inventions. His pioneering work included the development of General Motors' first electrical car prototypes and advanced energy efficient AC drives for elevators at Otis Elevators.

Jalal remained a proud Kurd until his final days. While living in El Cajon, California for over forty years, he was instrumental in uplifting the Kurdish cause and community. He sponsored many Kurdish families who immigrated to the United States and was a founding member of the Kurdish Community Center (Kurdish Club) of San Diego, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Kurdish Human Rights Watch of San Diego, and a founding member of the Kurdish National Congress.

In his golden years, Jalal treasured time with Mary into their sixty-second year of marriage, visited cherished family and friends, studied the physics of light, sung traditional Kurdish songs, tended to his garden, and people watched. He was a loving and devoted grandfather to Scott and Suzanne, spending hours working on special projects with them - including building a miniature town complete with a working water feature in his backyard.

Jalal is greatly missed and remembered for his warm, loving nature, generosity, quick wit, intelligence, and impeccable style. He is survived by his son Dana Salihi, grandchildren Scott and Suzanne Dombkowski, sisters Chilchara, Nasiq, Zian, Ata, nephew Rastgo Shali, and many extended family members and dear friends.

Jalal will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife, Mary, who preceded him in death. A burial service will be held on March 7 at 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. at El Camino Memorial, Sorrento Valley & Memorial Park. A memorial service and iftar (dinner) will follow at the Crystal Ballroom, El Cajon from 3:00 to 6:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association in memory of Jalal.

A Committal Service will be held at El Camino Memorial - Sorrento Valley, 5600 Carroll Canyon Rd, San Diego, CA 92121, US, on March 7, 2026, from 11:00 am to 11:30 am.