five younger people standing in a line outside with an older man in the middle
Muhammad Marrush, center, with students outside the Bowley Plant Science Teaching Facility on campus. Marrush lectured on plant science in the Department of Plant Sciences and predecessor departments for nearly 40 years. He retired in 2016, and this photo was taken with his last class. Marrush died in October. and a celebration of life will be held Jan. 13 in Woodland. (Courtesy the Marrush family)

Marrush remembered as a long-time lecturer in plant science

Life celebration set for Jan. 13

Muhammad Amin Marrush was born on June 25, 1943, in Ain Al-Mreisseh, Beirut, Lebanon, to Rihab Hamoud and Amin Marrush. He entered eternal rest on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, in Woodland, Calif.

Close-up of an older man's head and face
Muhammad Marrush was a lecturer for nearly 40 years in plant sciences at UC Davis. (Courtesy Marrush family)

Marrush completed his bachelor of science degree in agriculture (1964-1968) and master of science in horticulture (1969-1971), both at the American University of Beirut.

In 1971, he received a scholarship to complete his doctoral degree in plant physiology at the University of California, Davis. He was an active member of the UC Davis Association of Arab Students, which hosted frequent Arabian nights and prepared Arabic dishes. He completed his Ph.D. in 1978.

He met his beloved wife, Delores, on Aug. 15, 1975, at the Cosmopolitan Hotel Bar in Sacramento. They eloped in 1977 and went to Lebanon in 1979.

From 1982 to 1987, Marrush was an assistant professor at the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Science at AUB. Having already welcomed daughters, Najwa and Zeina, and now expecting their son, Jamal, Muhammad and Delores returned to California in July 1987, looking for stability and safety due to the ongoing Lebanese Civil War.

Marrush worked as a lecturer in plant sciences at UC Davis from 1987 until he retired in 2016. He loved being in his fields and tending to his vegetables and flowers. He enjoyed cooking for his students and is fondly remembered for his baklava.

Celebration of life Jan. 13

Older man standing by tall corn. Blue sky above
Muhammad Marrush (Courtesy the Marrush family)

Marrush is survived by his wife, Delores Conaway Marrush; daughters Najwa and Zeina Marrush; son Jamal Marrush and his wife Brittanie; brothers Khalil, Jamil and Nazir Marrush; and sister Jamal El-Sayad. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Dalal Marrush.

Marrush’s salat il-janaze (final prayer) was held at the Islamic Center of Woodland on Wednesday, Oct. 25, followed by his burial at Monument Hill Memorial Park in Woodland.

The Marrush family invites you to attend a celebration of life on Saturday, Jan. 13, at the Marrush residence from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Please RSVP here so the family knows how many people to expect.  If you are unable to attend, the family welcomes friends and family to share treasured memories here.

 

Men standing in front of tables with bowls of food, serving up their plates.
Muhammad Marrush enjoyed sharing meals with friends. (Courtesy the Marrush family)

Media Resources

  • Trina Kleist, UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences, tkleist@ucdavis.edu, (530) 754-6148 or (530) 601-6846

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