Kitaw Ejigu
Kitaw Ejigu | |
|---|---|
ቅጣው እጅጉ | |
| Born | 25 February 1948 Bonga, Keffa, Ethiopia |
| Died | 13 January 2006 (aged 57) |
| Resting place | Forest Lawn Cemetery, Covina Hills |
| Nationality |  Ethiopian |
| Citizenship | Ethiopian American |
| Alma mater | |
| Spouse | Stella Ejigu |
| Children | 3 |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | NASA, Loral Corp and Rockwell International |
Kitaw Ejigu (Ge'ez: ቅጣው እጅጉ; 1948 - 2006) was an Ethiopian American scientist and politician who served NASA for about four decades as a Chief of Spacecraft and Satellite Systems engineer. With his co-workers, Kitaw invented spacecraft and rockets to support Planetary Science Research and Exploration. He was also among a scientists who invented Flight Dynamic Simulator, Advanced Global Positioning Satellite System, and Aerospace Rocket mechanics.[1] Before his journey to United States, he worked as a Chief technical advisor and assistant manager for Ethiopian Automotive Services and Sales Company.[1] He was the first Ethiopian Aerospace scientists. Kitaw passed away on 13 January 2006 after suffering from stroke on 8 January 2006.[2][3]
Early life
Kitaw was born in Bonga, Keffa province, Ethiopia in 25 February 1948 from his father Ejigu Haile and mother Askale Belayneh. After completing his primary and secondary education in Bonga, Waka and Jimma, Kitaw attended his higher education at the Polytechnic College of Ethiopia, in Bahir Dar in the department of Mechanical engineering and in 1966 he graduated as the top scored student in his class.[3][1]
In 1972, Kitaw went to Japan after wining the scholarship that had provided by Japanese Overseas Technical Association, and studied Automotive engineering, and Language and Economics at Hiroshima University and Osaka University respectively. Later, in 1973, Kitaw received a scholarship to the United States, where he had received a Master of Arts in Business administration and Doctor of Philosophy in Aerospace engineering.[1][3][2]
Career
In 1967, after his graduation from Polytechnic College, Kitaw became a Chief technical advisor and assistant manager for Ethiopian Automotive Services and Sales Company and served for two years. Following his scholarship to United States, Kitewa had an opportunity to be employed in NASA and became the first Ethiopian Aerospace scientists. Kitaw served in NASA as a Chief of Spacecraft and Satellite Systems engineer and invented spacecraft and rockets to support Planetary Science Research and Exploration. Kitaw was also among a scientists who invented Flight Dynamic Simulator and Advanced Global Positioning Satellite System for Boeing. Later, Kitaw also worked as a scientist and engineer for Loral Corp and Rockwell International.[4][1]
In 2000s, he went to his homeland Ethiopia and did all his best to introduce technology based development. Kitwa established a privately owned satellite and related systems engineering company that he called Trans Tech International, a global technologies service systems. Also he served as its Chief executive officer until he death on 12 January 2006.[2]
In 2002, by his later time, Kitaw became a politician and founded a political party named the Ethiopian National United Front.[5]
Personal life and death
Kitaw married to Stella Ejigu and had three children, Sarah Abigail, Benyam and Yared. While he was having a fun with his family on 8 January 2006, Kitaw got suffered of stroke and never survived; he passed away in 13 January 2006 after his surgery that had made by doctor's of North Austin Medical Center, Austin Texas.[2][3] Kitaw's body buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Covina Hills at 3:00 PM, 18 January 2006 and his memorial service was held at Lake Avenue Congregational Church, in Pasadena, California at 11:00 AM, 21 January 2006.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d e No, Author (2007). The Europa World Year Book 2007. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-85743-413-2.
{{cite book}}:|first=has generic name (help) - ^ a b c d e "Kitaw Ejigu Obituary (2006) - Los Angeles, CA - Los Angeles Times". www.legacy.com. 17 January 2006. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b c d LLC, Books (12 May 2010). American People of Ethiopian Descent: Haile Gerima, Kenna, Liya Kebede, Khalid Adem, Sossina M. Haile, Gabriel Teodros, Kitaw Ejigu. General Books LLC. ISBN 978-1-155-82401-7.
- ^ Ethiopian Review. Vol. Volume 2. Ethiopian Review Magazine. 1992. p. 23 - 40.
{{cite book}}:|volume=has extra text (help) - ^ Tessema, Ayalisew. "Doctor Engineer Scientist Kitaw Ejigu Biography". Academia.