He came for an education and found a U.S. life
Munir Daud, an architect who died recently at 80, was raised in Syria but spent much of his life in Pullman
By Emily Pearce, Moscow Pullman Daily News June 1, 2023
Coming from one of the oldest cities in the world to rural Washington, Munir Daud produced a story that seemed like something only found in fiction.
When Munir moved to the U.S., he thought he’d be staying until he received his degree, and anticipated moving to his home country. But when he met his college sweetheart while studying at Washington State University, he watched his plans change drastically.
In his time on the Palouse, Munir built his company from a garage start-up to a successful business, and raised a family of four with his wife. After moving to the country on a whim and falling in love with a small-town Washington girl, Munir made Pullman his American hometown.
At 80 years old, Munir died of medical complications while driving a vehicle south of Uniontown on April 30. His daughter Nadia Daud said he spent his last day doing what he loved, like visiting the office on a Sunday and going on a ride to listen to his favorite music.
Munir was recognized in the community for his business, Munir Daud & Associates, of Pullman. Ranna Daud, another daughter, said as hardworking as he was, he was even more generous.
“There’s a lot of community work he’s done pro bono, but you can’t even call it that because he never even documented the extra work he did,” Ranna said. “He never wanted recognition, he was very humble. He did everything out of pure generosity and really just purely because he thought it was the right thing to do.”
Though Munir was known for his work in architecture later in his life, he was a musician in his early years.
Munir was born in Aleppo, Syria, on Jan. 1, 1943, and was raised surrounded by three siblings and several relatives. Nadia said his passion was music, and he’d often sing in multiple languages while playing the guitar and drums.
He wanted to pursue music, but his mother encouraged him to further his education after he graduated from Aleppo College in 1962, Nadia said.
Munir moved to the U.S. and studied at Whitworth College in Spokane, but later transferred to WSU to earn his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1967.
While studying at WSU, Munir met his wife, Janet, of Pomeroy, whom he married in 1968. They celebrated their 50th anniversary before Janet Daud died in October 2018.
“Our mom probably didn’t have a clue where Syria was, but she saw this dashing young man and they hit it off,” Nadia said. “It’s an unlikely story. Who would have thought that someone like my dad would meet someone like my mom? The duality of how different their upbringings were and they just happened to be at WSU at the same time. It’s crazy.”
Nadia said Munir considered returning to Syria when he graduated, but relations between his homeland and the U.S. were tense. She said Syria passed a law that any Syrian married to an American would be jailed when they entered the country, so he chose to remain in America. The law has since been rescinded, and Munir and his family were able begin visiting Syria in 1998.
Munir stayed in Pullman after graduating, taking a job as a project engineer for the city until 1973 when he accepted a job with a consulting engineering firm in Olympia, Wash. He and his wife later moved back to Pullman in 1975 to start his own architectural/engineering firm.
Ranna said out of all the things her father taught her, she is most appreciative of his love of culture.
“Our dad had an amazing work ethic, he was kind and generous and knew when to stand up for himself and others,” Ranna said. “But what we’re really thankful for is he taught us how to appreciate culture and uniqueness in all forms. Whether it’s music, food or art, he loved it all. We grew up with it and it’s a pretty special and kind of a unique part of us.”
Nadia added he loved Indigenous art, so much so it engulfed his office. He often listened to old Spanish, Italian and French music, she added.
Munir is survived by his son John Daud, and his three daughters Laila, Nadia and Ranna Daud, as well as two grandchildren, Iris and Jonah Daud.
“Our dad was an Arab American who came to the U.S. on a whim and stayed because of love,” Nadia said. “He had a full, well-rounded life and made Pullman his American hometown.”
PHOTOS
--Munir Daud
.--Munir and Janet Daud, front, pose with members of their
family.
--Illustration of iconic Pullman water tower on Military Hill which Munir Daud
designed.
…………….
Munir Abdel-Massih Daud
5/4/2023 Corbeill Funeral Home, Pullman
Munir Abdel-Massih Daud, 80, joined his ancestors and wife on April 30, 2023, due to medical complications while driving, south of Uniontown, WA.
Munir spent his last day doing some of his favorite things, including going to the office on a Sunday, as he did often, and going for a drive.
Munir was born in Aleppo, Syria on January 1, 1943, to Abdel-Massih Daud (father) and Shumoon Abdelnour (mother). He had a wonderful childhood being raised in Syria and surrounded by his siblings, Said (brother), Munira (sister), Madlaine (sister) and several relatives.
Munir was a talented musician during his young adult years in Aleppo, Syria—he sang in multiple languages and played several instruments, including the guitar and drums. His love of music stayed with him throughout his entire life. He would take drives in the countryside, listening to all his favorite songs, or working at his office with the volume up. His mother did not want music to be his career path and encouraged him to go to the United States to further his education after he graduated from Aleppo College in 1962.
Munir arrived in the United States and first studied at Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington, then transferred to Washington State University, in Pullman, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering (1967) and a Bachelor of Science in architecture (1972). He also played and helped to organize the WSU Men’s Club Soccer program.
While at Washington State University he met his wife, Janet (Bye) Daud, of Pomeroy, Washington. Munir and Janet got married in Pomeroy in 1968. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary just before Janet passed away in October of 2018.
Munir started his career working with the City of Pullman as a project engineer from 1968-1973. In 1973, Munir and his family moved to western Washington (Seattle and Olympia) and he worked for a consulting engineering firm for two years.
In 1975, Munir moved his family back to Pullman and he founded Munir Daud & Associates (MD+A), an engineering, architecture, and surveying firm.
He started MD+A in his garage in 1975 and he continued to work until his last day here. Munir kept his business small, so that it would remain a hometown business and their projects were all in Pullman or the neighboring smaller towns.
Most of all, Munir was a loving husband, father and “jido” (grandfather) to his four children and two grandchildren. He also leaves behind his nieces and nephews, both locally and all around the world.
Munir was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and his three siblings. Munir is survived by his son John (Stephanie), his daughters Laila, Nadia, Ranna, and his two grandchildren Iris and Jonah.
Munir will be missed by all who knew him or worked with him.
A memorial service for Munir to celebrate his life is planned for Saturday, May 13th, 2023, from 2-4pm at the SEL Event Center, 1825 Schweitzer Drive, Pullman, WA 99163. Corbeill Funeral Home, Pullman, WA has been entrusted with arrangements.
::::::::::::
Pullman man lives an American success story
By Michelle Dupler, Moscow Pullman Daily News Jan. 29, 2005
The story of Munir Daud's immigration from Syria and his building of a successful business is like something from a movie.
Daud is the founder of Munir Daud & Associates of Pullman. It's a firm of engineers, architects and surveyors that will celebrate its 30th anniversary in July.
Daud came to Pullman in the early 1960s from his hometown of Aleppo, Syria to study civil engineering and architecture at Washington State University.
Daud said his family settled in Syria after escaping from the massacre of Armenian Christians by the Ottoman Empire in Turkey around 1910. He said he recalls his grandmother showing him a scar on her neck from when the Turks attempted to kill her.
"They used to go after escaping Christians with a sword," Daud said. "But the sword was so used it wouldn't cut through her neck. She lucked out because the sword was dull."
Daud said his father was a truck driver, but wanted his children to go to school. Daud chose to come to the United States to study first at Whitworth College in Spokane, then at WSU where he earned a bachelor of science in civil engineering and architecture.
"It was tough but I finished it and it paid off in the end," Daud said.
Daud passed his value of education on to his four children, all of whom went on to graduate from colleges in Washington state.
Daud said he originally considered returning to Syria when he graduated, but while at WSU he met his wife, Janet, an American student. Around the time of the Six Day War with Israel in 1967, relations between Daud's homeland and the United States were tense. Daud said Syria passed a law that any Syrian married to an American would be jailed when they entered the country, so he chose to remain in Pullman.
That law has since been rescinded and Daud said he sometimes returns to Syria to visit his family.
Daud took a job as a project engineer for the city and worked there from 1968 until 1973, when he accepted a job with a consulting engineering firm in western Washington. He worked in Seattle and Olympia, but said that became a strain.
"I was paying rent in Olympia and house payments here and it became too much," Daud said.
Daud said his wife is from Pomeroy, Wash., and that she didn't like living in the western part of the state.
"She couldn't stand Olympia," Daud said. "There's trees all over and you can't see the sky. Here you can see forever."
In 1975, Daud and his wife decided to return to Pullman. Daud wanted to start his own architectural/engineering firm, but there was a housing slump in Pullman and starting his own company was a gamble.
"I told my wife we had enough money for three months," Daud said. "I was at home working out of my garage."
Daud said he believes his company was the first in Pullman to provide civil engineering, architectural design and surveying services.
"Before that, people had to go to Moscow or Lewiston or Spokane," Daud said.
Daud said he didn't have to wait long for his first job. Daud's architectural design specialty is apartment buildings and Dr. Wenzel Leff, a local physician and developer, hired him to do design work for the Earthtone Court subdivision on Bishop Boulevard.
"He's got great integrity," Leff said of Daud. "He's thorough. He's a good friend and he's just an all-around nice guy. I've never felt the need to go elsewhere."
In time, Daud's business grew to include a small team of engineers and surveyors, but he made a conscious choice to keep his firm small.
"The maximum size was seven people," Daud said. "Now we maintain four only."
Daud said keeping the company small allows them to remain a hometown business.
"We find if we grow, we have to go further for our projects. With four of us, we stay within reach," Daud said. "It's better to stay small and stay local."
Daud's firm is no longer the only architectural/engineering firm in town, but the company stays competitive by using GPS surveying.
"We became more efficient," Daud said. "(GPS) gives you very accurate elevations and locations. It gives us an edge over our competition."
Another advantage that has kept Daud in business for 30 years is providing a full range of services to his clients.
"We do everything here," Daud said. "We do land surveying, civil engineering, architecture, land testing. We don't like doing them all, but you have to in a small community."
Daud said upcoming projects for the company include engineering, site planning and design work for a Wawawai subdivision, an apartment building and a gas station on Bishop Boulevard and a restaurant next to the Village Centre Cinemas movie theater.
Daud and his associates each specialize in their own fields. Bob Murtha has worked with the firm since 1978 as a land surveyor specializing in property surveys.
"That's my specialty and my love," Murtha said.
Daud said each member of the firm having their own niche has helped maintain a good working relationship over the years.
"It's really unusual for the three of us to stay together for 30 years," Daud said.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Janet LaVerne Daud, 73, of Pullman
10/23/2018 Kimball Funeral Home, Pullman
Surrounded by her family, Janet LaVerne Daud (formerly Bye), 73, of Pullman, passed away at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle on Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. As with everything in her life, she was upbeat and positive throughout her more than two-year battle with cholangiocarcinoma cancer.
Janet was born Aug. 6, 1945, to Harold Vernon Bye and Olive Marian Gaines. She came into this world while it entered a more peaceful time as the United States ended the war against Japan. Janet lived with love and compassion for all throughout her life. Her childhood years were happy times spent on the family farm in Pomeroy, Wash., where she developed a strong attachment to the land and an appreciation for farm life.
Janet graduated from Pomeroy High School in 1963 and Washington State University with a teaching degree in 1967. It was during her collegiate years that she met and fell in love with a handsome young foreign student from Aleppo, Syria - Munir Abdel-Massih Daud.
Following a year of teaching grade school in Othello, Janet and Munir were married and started their family in Pullman.
Early career choices took them to Tukwila, Wash., where Janet continued teaching and Munir worked for an engineering firm. Later, after spending a short time in Olympia, a strong attraction drew them back to Pullman to lay down their roots. Munir soon established his own engineering firm and the couple began to grow their family. A firstborn, John, was followed by sisters Laila, Nadia and Ranna. Even after their young family began to grow, Janet often lent a helping hand with her husband's business.
As the mother of four, the impact Janet had on her children were endless through her love, compassion, strength and kindness, which helped mold them into who they are today and ultimately led them to the careers they chose. Additionally, she took on the important role of chauffeur, counselor, friend, confidante and second mom to a number of young people in Pullman. The lives she touched had a ripple effect on the Pullman community.
Janet was also a loving grandmother to grandchildren, Iris and Jonah, children of John and his wife, Stephanie. She cherished her time with her grandchildren.
As a wife, Janet fully embraced the culture and traditions of her husband's home country - the food, celebrations and music all became her own, which she joyfully passed on to her children. She also loved having a diverse group of friends with unique backgrounds.
Janet took full advantage of the connections to family members in the Middle East, which offered many opportunities for travel. She was thrilled by her visits to Lebanon, Syria and United Arab Emirates. She also had a strong connection to and affinity for Durango, Colo., where her mother was originally from. She loved her visits to Ouray and Durango and was fortunate to have spent her final trip there.
In August, Janet and Munir celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and were honored by their many friends and family from around the world. The couple was moved by the outpouring of affection by those who had been part of their lives.
Janet is survived by her husband, Munir, and her four children, John (Stephanie), Laila, Nadia and Ranna, and two grandchildren. She also leaves behind her sister, Diane, and her brother, Gary (Kayleen), and numerous nieces and nephews, both locally and around the world.
A memorial service for Janet celebrating her life is planned for 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Simpson United Methodist Church (325 NE Maple St., Pullman, WA 99163). Kimball Funeral Home of Pullman is caring for the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation: https://cholangiocarcinoma.org/. Online condolences may be sent to www.kimballfh.com.
::::::::::::::::::
Munir Daud, founder of Munir Daud & Associates in Pullman killed in crash
May 1, 2023 Evan Ellis News Pullman Radio News, Pullman, Wash.
80-year-old Munir Daud of Pullman died in a one vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 195 South of Uniontown Sunday night.
The Washington State Patrol reports that the crash occurred near the state line around 7:15. Daud was driving an SUV Northbound when he veered off the highway and down a steep embankment. Daud died at the scene. The crash is still under investigation.
Daud founded Munir Daud & Associates in Pullman in the early 1970’s. The firm includes engineers, architects and surveyors.
