ED DEEB
COMMUNITY LEADER and AUTHOR
JANUARY 24, 2023
Ed, a Men’s Club member, graduated from Michigan State University in 1960 with a journalism degree. While at State he wrote for the State News and played the clarinet in both the concert and marching bands. He was part of a popular student dance band—The Arabian Knights. (If you were on campus, you’ll likely remember the Knights’ wildly popular performances of the then-hit song Shish Kebab.) Ed continued to remain active as an alumnus. He was a founding member and first President of the Communication Arts Alumni Association and chairman of the first Alumni Board. A conference room in the Comm Arts building bears his name.
After graduating from State, Ed served two years in the US Air Force (1960-1962).
Early in his career, Deeb was offered the position of President of the newly formed Association of Grocery Dealers in Michigan. He accepted and began a statewide promotion of the food and beverage industry, increasing the association to more than 5,000 members from 65.
When Ed was asked to help at Eastern Market, he formed and headed up the Eastern Market Merchants Association. He initiated major promotional programs inviting shoppers to come back to the historic site. The market immediately began to restore itself and grew.
His greatest achievement may be the founding and directing of Metro Detroit Youth Day. The state’s largest youth event draws 34,000 kids, ages 8-15, to Belle Isle every July to enjoy sports clinics run by college and professional players, a talent show, a chance to commune with critters in a petting zoo, the promotion of higher education, and lunch. A street on Belle Isle has been named after him.
In 2022 Ed authored The Go to Guy, The Life and Times of a Detroit-Area Mover, Shaker, and Peacemaker”. One of Ed’s favorite sayings is, Don’t go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path, and leave a trail. The book may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting iUniverse, 1663 Liberty Drive, Bloomington, IN 470403;
https://www.iuniverse.com/en; 844-349-9409.
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here to view photos from this event!