AUSTIN, Texas — Awad Abdelrahim Abdelgadir Abu Hulayga was born in 1954 in Az-Zawrat village on the bank of the Nile River in the Northern Province of Sudan. He was the son of Abdelrahim Abdelgadir Abu Hulayga and Maryam Saeed Ahmed. He died on March 7, 2023, after fighting a long illness, at the age of 69.

Awad was educated at Dongola Boarding School and studied law at the University of Omdurman. In 1977, he moved to the Republic of Yemen, where he worked as a legal advisor and later taught Arabic and ESL at the Sana’a International School. During the years he lived in Yemen, Awad traveled throughout the country and enjoyed friendships with many people from all walks of life. He was active in expatriate affairs, including community theater and the Highest Hash House Harriers, a mountain trail running club. He married fellow Hasher Linda Boxberger in Sana’a in 1986.

In 1988, Awad and Linda moved to Austin, Texas, to attend graduate school. Awad earned a Master’s degree in Early Child Development at Southwest Texas State University. Mentored by Dr. Kathleen Fite, he developed a “Life on the Nile” presentation that he gave at schools, museums, and other organizations in central Texas as well as nationally. He wanted to share his love for his village, his ancestral heritage, and Nubian culture with people in his new home country.

Awad founded Nile Valley Herbs, a small business that sells hibiscus tea throughout the United States. He loved introducing people to the healthy herbal tea he enjoyed drinking in his village. Awad also taught Arabic at The University of Texas at Austin and St. Edward’s University. 

A member of the South Austin Rotary Club, Awad was a firm believer in its precept “Service Before Self.” To honor the memory of his mother, Awad created the Mother Maryam Foundation for Humanitarian Development, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that implements community-based projects improving education, health care, and water quality in the agricultural area in Northern Sudan from which he came.

Awad was buried in a private service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mother Maryam Foundation, in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS.  67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, March 29, 2023