Mesbah Uddin Ahmed

Dr. Mesbah Uddin Ahmed of Toledo, OH passed away November 28, 2024 after a brief illness.

Mesbah was the eldest of 7 children born to a father who was a police officer and a mother who loved literature. He attended technical school and college in Dhaka, Bangladesh where he was a student of industrial science. He earned honors in chemical engineering from East Pakistan University of Engineering & Technology. In 1969, he joined the East Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation as an assistant engineer for two years before immigrating to the United States to earn his M.S. and Ph.D. in industrial engineering from Texas Tech University.

He began his teaching career at Alabama State University in Montgomery, moved to Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, then joined the University of Toledo in 1980, semi-retiring in 2015 as a Professor Emeritus in Information Operations & Technology Management in the College of Business and fully retiring in 2018.

A remarkable teacher, he held himself and his students to the highest of standards, often working late into the night preparing his coursework. Students would line up to take his classes, using his teachings to launch their own illustrious careers. He was a mentor for international students, helping them to navigate their new lives in the United States. He received the University of Toledo Outstanding Teaching Award as well as the UT College of Business Graduate Teaching Award. He also conducted IT and manufacturing-related consulting projects and trainings for numerous companies.

Though he had the mind of an engineer, he had the heart and romantic sensibilities of a poet and was particularly inspired by the writings and songs of Rabindranath Tagore. He found joy in nature, walking 5 miles a day, fishing, and creating a gorgeous garden that invited neighbors’ awe. In retirement he explored his childhood dream of being a writer, leaving behind hundreds of poems. Those who knew him will miss his sense of humor, his sweet and generous soul, his constant desire to teach, his spirited political discussions, his thoughtful emails, and abundant delight in his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Moslem Uddin Talukdar and Jeban Nehar, as well as his brother, Moshi Uddin Ahmed. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Nargis, children Shalmoli (Joseph Frese), Reuben, Shaoly (Nicholas Roscioli), grandchildren Ashar and Alia, and siblings.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, December 11th at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W Sylvania Avenue, Toledo, OH 43623. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the charity of choice.