Teklehaimanot Woldemichael was born July 23, 1943 to Ato Woldemichael Woldegiorgis and w/o Jember Mekuria in Harar, Ethiopia surrounded by loving brothers and sisters. In pursuit of his passion, he received his Bachelors of Science in Building Engineering from Building College at Addis Ababa University. In his early years after graduation, he focused on his upward mobility within the civil engineering field.
Not too long after, Teklehaimanot would go on to meet his would-be wife, Dr. Salelesh Abebe. Their encounter was as sweet as they ever were. Having not met beforehand, he was a handsome groomsman and she was a beautiful bridesmaid at a mutual friend’s wedding. From that point forward, they would join together to build a friendship and a marriage that would last for the next 40 years. In those years, they had two devoted daughters, Wudassie and Helina Teklehaimanot.
Family life was strong, blessed and full of fond memories, from family trips ranging from his hometown in Dire Dawa, Harar, to father/daughter trips to construction sites only he could make exciting. Through it all, he was able to balance his family life while still attaining a highly respected and valued position in the Ethiopian Building Construction Authority.
In the early 1990’s, his wife and daughters moved to the United States so that his wife could earn her doctorate. Despite an entire ocean of separation, faith in the Lord’s plan kept them together – with hope for the future. As the years progressed, Teklehaimanot continued to lean on his faith and with the grace of God, the family was reunited in the United States.
Teklehaimanot was a loving, generous and compassionate man. He was first to extend a hand when one was needed. Each day that passed, he was surrounded by angels and those who loved him. Even in his final days, he was surrounded by his loving family who were fortunate enough to cradle him as he went with peace to the Kingdom of Heaven on September 4, 2017.
A son, brother, uncle, husband, father and friend, our hearts will ache until we see you again. With love and adoration – Salelesh, Wydassie and Helina