Makonnen Gebre-Hiwet Obituary

GEBRE-HIWET, Makonnen

Makonnen Gebre-Hiwet, age 84, passed on January 23, 2025. He was known affectionately as Mak and was a paragon of impeccable character, composure and compassion. Born in Gondar, Ethiopia he pursued his education passionately, earning a bachelor's degree from Addis Ababa University and receiving the Emperor's Gold Medal for Scholastic Achievement. He proceeded to study Law at University of Besancon, France and finally received his MS from Columbia University School of Journalism, New York.

His professional journey was equally illustrious, beginning as a Peace Corps instructor in Ethiopian History at Harvard University before taking an assignment as Deputy Director of the Ethiopian Election Board for the Parliament. He later became the Chief Editor of the Ethiopian Herald newspaper and taught Middle Eastern History as a professor at Spelman College. He served in numerous capacities during his 30 years at MARTA including Director of Communications and Public Affairs before retiring as Vice President and Assistant General Manager of Customer Service.

Makonnen is survived by his wife, Bruktait; daughter, Florence Marian; his son, Robert Fassil, his grandchildren: Jacquavius, Zania, Tewodros, Jr., Robert Fassil, Jr.; and siblings, Molach, Solome, Hannah and Abay Gebre-Hiwet along with a host of nephews and nieces.