Houman Michael Shammai
Houman Michael Shammai, 62, passed away on April 11th, 2021 in Webster, TX following a courageous 10-month battle with COVID-19. He was born on May 18th, 1958 in Tehran, Iran to Abbas Shammai & Mahin Nawabyshirazi. Mike is survived by: his wife, Simone Soileau Shammai; sons, Andrew & Alex Shammai, mother, Mahin Nawabyshirazi; sisters, Dorre Tosian & Kitty Shamai; brother, Nader Shammai; and numerous family members and friends.
Mike earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (formerly University of Southwestern Louisiana). He proudly became a naturalized citizen of the United States of America in 1987. Following a career primarily at Baker Hughes and Shell, Mike worked as Chief Technology Officer for Nextstream Heavy Oil. During his career he traveled the world and was awarded numerous design patents. He enjoyed his research projects with Rice University and the University of Wyoming among others. He had a passion for his family and career, and loved to cook and travel.
A memorial will be held on Wednesday, April 14th 2021 at 11am at Crowder Funeral Home in Webster, 111 E Medical Center Blvd, Webster, TX 77598. Visitation will begin at 10am before the memorial service. In lieu of flowers the family requests that those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mike’s memory do so to The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, or the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Engineering Department.
It was a blessing to know Mike for such a short period of time as we both worked in several engineering projects at Baker Hughes. He was a smart and hard working engineer who promoted to one of the highest position at Baker Hughes. Mike was a gentleman, a great colleague and a very kind and caring friend. I have several great memories of Mike during our annual MS-150 bike rides from Houston to Austin. He encouraged and coached his two sons to participate in this event when they were not even a teenager. He will be deeply missed by Baker Hughes Persian/American community. Rest In Peace my brother. You are always in our heart 🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀
Houman was a person who knew how to appreciate every moment of life. I remember him for his optimism and positive energy which radiated through all of us. He was a great man that I first got to know him as a colleague during the time at BHI while riding the vanpool together so many times for a few years. Through the years, I’ve learned that goodbyes will always hurt, pictures will never replace having been there, memories good and bad will bring tears, and words can never replace feelings. Goodbye friend, the Lord will rest your soul.
Thinking of you at this difficult time. May your memories bring you comfort and peace.
I was Mike’s secretary when he was with the Product
Line group at Baker. It was a pleasure working for him. He was always appreciative for what you did. He would have the most complicated travel arrangements but we get it to work.
My deepest sympathy.
Our most sincere condolences to the Shamaii family and our aunt Mrs. Mahin Nawaby for the loss her beloved son.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Simon, Alex, Andrew, Ameh Mahin and the extended family.
Arghavan, Gity, Tony and Dariya
From all of his collaborators and friends at Rice, we will miss Mike tremendously. Working with him was like taking a masterclass on all things oil and energy. We did great things together the last five years. I will miss having more conversations, with creative ideas that flowed out so easily with Mike.
My deepest condolences,
Mike Wong
Rice University
Deepest sympathies to Simone, Andrew and Alex, and prayers for peace for all.
Kitty, thoughts and prayers from me for the entire family during this grieving period.. My Heart Hurts for you and your family my friend.. With Love, Kerry Ann Moody Store #264
My deepest sympathies to Mike’s family and friends. I just learned of his passing and will always remember his courtesy to all that worked with and for him. Rest in Peace
During a very important patent infringement arbitration with a competitor Mike, a Technology Fellow at Baker Hughes, was a key witness. His testimony during a preliminary proceeding was so compelling and exacting the lawyers for the other side could not keep up with him. He was only honest, never waivered, and opposing counsel, some of the best in the business, used almost all their allotted time trying to impeach Mike’s positions. They were unsuccessful and eventually were forced to request more time for other witnesses. That request was not granted. The legal team at Baker Hughes will miss Mike greatly as a fantastic person, teacher, innovator, friend and one of the best technical witnesses ever. We send our thoughts, prayers and condolences to Mike’s family who we know he loved dearly.