Austin American-Statesman (Texas), January 27, 2008, Sunday
Copyright 2008 The Austin American-Statesman
All Rights Reserved
Austin American-Statesman (Texas)
Final Edition
SECTION: METRO & STATE; Pg. B04
Albert Morris Chammah
Albert Morris Chammah, 79, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 24, 2008, after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease.
Mr. Chammah was born on August 18th, 1928 in Aleppo, Syria. He was the first child of the late Moise Albert Chammah and Zekieh Kamayeh. He came to the United States in 1947 to study industrial engineering at Syracuse University. After graduation in 1951 he studied industrial and labor relations at Cornell University and earned a Ph.D. in social and mathematical psychology in 1969 from the University of Michigan.
Albert's professional career included positions as a research mathematical psychologist at the University of Michigan's Mental Health Research Institute and as a communication scientist at Cornell's Aeronautical Labs in Buffalo, New York. In the early part of his career he was a human factors engineer at General Electric Advanced Electronic Center, and he also served with Military Intelligence in the U.S. Army. He retired from the University of Texas in 1998 after teaching for 29 years. He held duel appointments at UT in the Psychology Department and Business School's Management Department. He was later appointed to the Center for Middle Eastern Studies. He coauthored with Anatol Rapaport the widely acclaimed book, "Prisoner's Dilemma".
Albert had a passion for good food and lively discussions with a wide range of friends, colleagues, and acquaintances. He was fluent in three languages and able to understand many others. He traveled widely, eager to understand and appreciate all the world's riches. He loved meeting new people, visiting new places, and immersing himself in the different cultures, and he built lasting friendships wherever he went. He was also a wonderful cook and photographer. Albert had a strong sense of family and took pride in his Sephardic Jewish heritage. He was a member of Congregation Beth Israel. He loved becoming a father, an event that came late in life and was his biggest joy. He will be remembered for his gentility, curiosity, and the joy with which he embraced life.
He leaves behind his wife of 25 years, Lorraine Guzzio Chammah and son, Maurice Albert Chammah. He is also survived by his sisters: Sarina Chammah Jenis of Bayside, New York, Bella Dayeh Kamhadji of Brooklyn, Liza Dayeh Ourfali of Tel Aviv and Shelia Dayeh Halifax of Holon, Israel. Three brothers also survive him: Edmond, Rouven and Haim Dayeh, all of Holon.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 26, 2008 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home.
Funeral service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 27, 2008 at Congregation Beth Israel, 3901 Shoal Creek Blvd., Austin, TX 78756. Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 28, 2008 at Congregation Beth Israel Cemetery located at Capital Parks Cemetery in Pflugerville.
Those wishing to make memorial contributions may contribute to the Capital Area Parkinson's Society, P.O. Box 27565, Austin, Texas 78755, Hospice of Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Suite 100, Austin, Texas 78759, or to a charity of one's choice.
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