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Hassan El Azzazi in Memoriam

by Philip F. Jacobus, CEO | June 12, 2019
Hassan at the first IAMERS European
meeting in Dusseldorf in 2005
courtesy of Diana Upton
Hassan El Azzazi was one of the very first European independent dealers. He can trace his lineage back to Dr. Michael Friebe, who in my opinion, was the pioneer of all pioneers in the independent equipment, service & parts business.

Hassan was always fun to be with, full of energy and a real gentleman.

He was close friends with Diana Upton, the president of IAMERS who also worked for Dr. Friebe around the same time as Hassan. Actually, it was Diana who let me know about Hassan's passing.

She sent me a text when she learned about Hassan and I asked her if she would write down some of her thoughts and memories, which she has done below:

    Today I learned that my dear friend and colleague Hassan El Azzazi died last night. It seems impossible to me because no one was more full of life than Hassan.

    For many years Hassan and I worked together at Neuromed/Tomovation. It was Hassan who would pick me up at the Dusseldorf airport from my 6am flight from New York. Of course no one else in the company would have bothered to wake at such an hour; and who could blame them. But Hassan was always there when I came through baggage claim. Hassan took me to see belly dancers and introduced me to Egyptian food.

    A couple of years ago at RSNA several of us went to dinner together. I was fortunate to sit at the same table as Hassan. We spent the dinner telling stories about our days at Tomovation. We laughed so hard people at the other tables were staring at us. In many ways it was a typical dinner with Hassan. If you were hanging out with Hassan, you were going to have a good time.

    Hassan always talked with his hands, usually with a cigarette. He’d greet you by putting both hands on your shoulders and a big hug, followed by three kisses – right cheek, left cheek and back again.

    I will really miss you my friend. Many in the industry will miss you. No RSNA, or trip to Germany, will ever be the same.

I was touched by Diana's words and wanted to share them. If you knew Hassan and have your own fond memories of time spent with him, I would love to hear about them.

View all The Jacobus Report Blog Posts


About Phil Jacobus

Phil Jacobus has been involved in health care since 1977, when he visited China to sell equipment. He has done business in 35 countries and still travels extensively. Phil is active in charity, helps rural clinics and always tries to help DOTmed users when he can.

Phil is a member of AHRA, HFMA, AAMI and the Cryogenic Society of America. He has contributed to a number of magazines and journals and has addressed trade groups.

Phil's proudest achievement is that he has been happily married to his wife Barbara since 1989, who helped him found DOTmed in 1998.

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Ali Tavakoli

Hassan El Azzazi in Memoriam

June 14, 2019 09:43

I can't believe myself that I am writing in loving memory of you my dear brother.

It is hard to believe you are no longer here with me. All the exhibition we went together, all the fun time and laughter we shared, all the jokes we told, all the road trips we had, I can go on and go on.

I smile with sadness when I remember your sentence for introducing our closeness friendship. We know each other for 28 years...we are close friends from kindergarten.

This is not fair Hassan you didn't even give me a chance to say good bye man.

I can't help crying. YOU ARE MISS Hasssan
Your brother

Ali Tavakoli(TECHNOMED)

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Andrea

re: Hassan El Azzazi in Memoriam

July 11, 2022 10:51

So very sad to read these news. I knew Hassan since very early childhood, but had no chance to meet him again.

May he rest in peace 🤲🏻!
الله يرحمه ويغفرله

Andrea Kamal
أندريا كمال

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Don Bogutski

Hassan El Azzazzi

June 14, 2019 09:50

Hassan was a friend. He was a joy to be around. Lively, fun loving, caring. He will be missed. Hassan will be long remembered as special.

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