Ahmad Al-Samarrie, Ph.D (Age 87)  
Passed away on January 11, 2018. Born in Samarra, Iraq, Ahmad age 15, came to the United States on a scholarship to study at UCLA Berkeley from where he got his bachelor's degree in economics. He earned a Ph.D., at George Washington University after spending a year at the International Monetary Fund. There he met and later married Anne Marie Sagen from Norway. They had one daughter, Mona and were married for 56 years. Ahmad became a U.S. citizen in 1972. Ahmad obtained a position as Deputy Associate Director for Economic Policy at the Office of Management and Budget, Executive Office of the President. He held this position for many years until he retired, serving under Presidents Ford, Carter, Reagan, GHW Bush, Clinton and Bush. In 2003, Ahmad went back to Iraq with the U.S. military to assist with the rebuilding of the Central bank in Bagdad. During his retirement, Ahmad enjoyed time with his friends and family. A private funeral was held on January 12, 2018 and a memorial service January 21, 2018.