Riad Nassib Yammine
Riad Nassib Yammine, age 81, of Findlay, passed away late evening June 22, 2015 at the Blanchard Valley Hospital Emergency Room. He was born in Hammana, Lebanon on April 12, 1934 to the late Nassib and Emilie (Daou) Yammine.
In 1952, Riad came to the United States to study petroleum engineering. He graduated from The Pennsylvania State University in 1956 with a BS in Petroleum and Natural Gas engineering. While in college, he met the love of his life, Beverly Ann Hosack and they married on September 14, 1954.
Bev survives him along with their three children: Kathleen (Philip) Gross of Westerville, OH; Cynthia (Daryl) Rotman and Michael (Laurie) Yammine, both of Findlay; seven grandchildren, Justin (Carolyn) Griffiths; Ryan Rotman; Heather Griffiths; Janann (Christopher) Lishawa; Travis Yammine; Brandon Yammine and Jason Yammine; along with two great-grandchildren, Michaela and Cody Griffiths. Riad is also survived by two siblings: Samira Fakhoury and Fouad (Dalal) Yammine. Four siblings preceded him in death, Zarife Hakim; Marie Fachatte; Helene Zakkak and Salah Yammine.
After completing a pipeline project with Aramco in Saudi Arabia, Riad joined The Ohio Oil Company, now known as Marathon Petroleum Co. in 1961 as an engineer. Riad graduated from Harvard University Advanced Management Program while working at Marathon. He served in a variety of management positions throughout his career including: president and board member of Marathon Pipeline Co., vice president of world-wide supply and transportation, and director for Marathon Petroleum Co. He later served as president of Emro Marketing, now known as Speedway, and was also elected to the boards of Emro and Marathon Oil Co. Riad retired in 1999 holding the position of executive vice president of strategic planning and business development at Marathon Ashland Petroleum.
Riad was very active in industry groups and the American Petroleum Institute. He held various positions throughout his lifetime on the boards of the Springfield/Clark County Chamber of Commerce; the Ohio Parkinson's Foundation of Northwest Ohio; Muse Machine of Dayton; United Way of Hancock County; Wright State Foundation; Fisk University; the Boy Scouts Black Swamp Area Council and the engineering advisory committee at Cedarville University. After retiring, Riad was involved in Findlay's Chamber downtown rejuvenation effort and co-founded the Findlay Devolpment, LLC and served on the board of managers of Centracomm Communications LTD. He was an active member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church where he previously served on church council. He was also a member of the Findlay Rotary Club.
First and foremost, Riad loved his family. Many special times were spent together on family vacations and trips to their house on Shawnee Lake. He was a mentor to many, wishing to pass on his vast knowledge and love of business to his children, grandchildren and friends. Even as he fought a difficult and remarkable battle with Parkinson's Disease, he worked to make every day count. He was a storyteller to the very end. He touched so many lives and everyone who met him (even just once) can distinctly remember his positive attitude and love of conversation. Although no longer with us, Riad will live on through his family in their memories, words and actions.
Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Saturday, June 27, 2015 at Coldren-Crates Funeral Home and for one hour (2:30-3:30 p.m.) prior to the service Sunday at the church. Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, June 28, 2015 at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, with Pastor Robert Cochran and Chaplain Michael Thompson officiating. Burial will follow in Knollcrest Cemetery, east of Findlay. Memorials may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation of Northwest Ohio, 580 Craig Drive, #8, PBM #202, Perrysburg, OH 43551 or to First Lutheran Church, 109 E. Lincoln Street, Findlay, OH 45840. Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.coldrencrates.com.