Edward Mahrous Mikhail

Dr. Edward M. Mikhail, Professor Emeritus at Purdue University

September 11, 1935 — August 24, 2026 West Lafayette, Indiana

Edward Mahrous Mikhail, 90, passed away August 24, 2026, at his home in Westminster Village in West Lafayette, Indiana. Edward was born on September 11, 1935, in Fayoum, Egypt to Mahrous Mikhail and Lulu Khalil. In 1957, he graduated first in his class in civil engineering at Cairo University, after which he worked simultaneously as an instructor there during the day, and as a structural engineer at the largest consulting firm in the Middle East in the evenings. After working in Egypt for a short time, he received a scholarship to attend Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, receiving his master’s degree in 1961 and PhD in 1963. He also met his future wife, LaVerne E. Lechner at Cornell. LaVerne and Ed were married on September 21,1963.

LaVerne and Ed lived briefly in Philadelphia as well as Ottawa, Canada before settling in West Lafayette, Indiana in late 1965 and having five children together. Ed joined the engineering faculty at Purdue University in 1965. Over the next five decades, he established what became a nationally and internationally leading graduate program in geomatics engineering, supervising over 250 master’s and 30 PhD students in photogrammetry and geomatics. He further contributed to the field through research and extensive books and publications. After retirement, he received the title of Professor Emeritus and continued to support the graduate program as a mentor to younger faculty and Ph.D. students. He also consulted for the US Government; his work led to the development of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s Digital Point Positioning Database, which is used by military and intelligence services.

His commitment to his students and tireless effort towards cutting edge advancements in his field earned him multiple awards throughout his distinguished career. A few notable awards include: technical recognition from the U.S. Government Office of Research and Development and the National Reconnaissance Office; selection as an honorary member of the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing; the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) Arthur C. Lundahl-Thomas C. Finnie Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018; the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing’s Fairchild Photogrammetric Award for outstanding achievement; and induction into the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency's hall of fame in 2023. Additionally, in 2017, former students and colleagues recognized him by establishing two endowments in his honor that benefit incoming graduate students at Purdue. He enjoyed his work so much that he would often say, “I’ve never worked a day in my life.”

In his personal life, Ed was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather and spent much of his time with his family. He treasured family dinners and movie nights, trips abroad, and even the early Saturday mornings spent driving his children to dance recitals and piano competitions. Ever the educator, he was never too busy to help his children—and later his grandchildren—with their homework. He loved to make his family laugh through his impersonations of the Cowardly Lion, Fagin from Oliver Twist, and Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof. Ed also enjoyed puzzles, mystery novels, BBC shows, classical music, and eating out. He was happiest simply being with the people he loved; nothing pleased him more than sitting down with his family over a cup of tea, talking, laughing, and enjoying one another’s company.

Edward is survived by his children, their spouses, and his grandchildren: Lyree Marcus and her husband, Peter, and their children, Maggie, Nathan, Bridget, and Marci; Nicole Hahn and her husband, Dave, and their children, Aidan, Keaton, and Becan; Gavin Mikhail and his wife, Barb, and their children, Fiona, Renn, and Raife; Monique Mikhail and her husband, Beaudry, and their daughter, Tephra; and Yvette Mikhail and her husband, Andrew.

He is also survived by his brother, Fr. Felimon and his wife, Margaret, and sister Theresa. Three of Edward’s brothers, along with their wives, preceded him in death.

Through and beyond his two great loves, work and family, Ed built his life in service of others. His friendship, support and guidance offered freely over the decades has made, and will continue to make, an impact on countless people’s lives. He lived to bring joy and levity to everyone he met, and the world is a better place because of it. As Albert Einstein famously said, “a life worth living is a life lived for others.” Ed embodied this ideal, and challenges all of us to do the same.

Edward’s final resting place will be at Carmel Cemetery in Carmel, Indiana.

Memorial contributions may be made to Purdue for Life Foundation in memory of Edward M Mikhail, PhD www.giving.purdue.edu or mail checks to: Purdue for Life Foundation Dauch (Dick and Sandy) Alumni Center 403 W Wood St, West Lafayette, IN 47907. Or Project of St. Mary and St. Mark for the poor in Egypt. Checks can be brought to the visitation or can be mailed to Lyree N Marcus c/o Flanner Buchanan-Carmel, 325 E Carmel Drive Carmel, IN 46032.