Malik Tunador

Malik Tunador, was born in Korkuteli, Turkey and passed unexpectedly from heart failure. We are grateful he did not suffer and feel connected by the love from the family and friends he so cherished.

He spent his childhood in Antalya, later attending Darüşşafaka Boarding School in Istanbul and Middle Eastern Technical University in Ankara. By nature, Malik was curious and puckish. He accidentally named his brother, much to his parents’ dismay, by loudly and repeatedly proclaiming what he thought his brother’s name should be; this confused hospital staff and as a result, Zeki’s legal name was Turgay. In his youth, he displayed a natural proficiency in both music and science and was in training to become a professional violinist before ultimately choosing the path of mechanical engineering. 

He met his first wife, Greta Gilmartin, in Ankara in 1963, and the pair moved to her hometown of Pittsburgh in 1967. After Greta’s death in 1975, Malik married Barbara (née Dudek), and they moved to Thornburg, PA where they raised five children and were welcomed into a tight-knit community, making lifelong friends.

As a Mechanical Engineer for over 40 years, he was granted several patents and traveled internationally for his profession. After managing projects in several countries, including China, Mexico, Germany, and Turkey, he retired from SMS Demag in 2009. As a Pittsburgh-based engineer with a deep reverence for his adoptive hometown, Malik perfected his knowledge of the inner workings of steel mills and became an avid fan of the Penguins, Steelers, and Pirates.

A conversation around religion and/or politics was something Malik always enjoyed, and he loved to regale listeners with his perspectives. He was one of seven plaintiffs in a case led by the ACLU and the Anti-Defamation League against Allegheny County to remove religious symbolism outside the County Courthouse. This landmark case was taken to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1989. 

Malik was passionate about his culture and could talk for hours about the linguistics, history, and politics of Turkey. He was instrumental in creating the Turkish Nationality Room at the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning. He served as the Chair from 2010 to 2012 and was a former President of the Pittsburgh Turkish-American Association. One of his last wishes was to create a scholarship in his family’s name at the University of Pittsburgh, to support students learning Turkish and studying in Turkey.

Family was of highest importance, both chosen family and those by blood, no matter how distant the relation. He possessed the ability to make anyone feel like they were a part of the family, often culminating in a sincere invitation to join him in Antalya. He was much loved by his family, friends and those who hadn’t muted his frequent and informative Facebook posts. Malik was a brilliant, generous, and loving man who will be sorely missed and greatly celebrated.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Barbara Dudek Tunador of Thornburg, PA, daughter Gilden Tunador (Paul D’Amour) of Ojai, CA, four sons Tan Tunador (Samantha) of Leesburg, VA, Timur Tunador (Christiana) of Cabin John, MD, Korel Tunador (Julie) of Ojai, CA, and Metin Felix Tunador (Becca Cohen) of Los Angeles, CA, along with eight grandchildren, one great grandchild, and countless extended family members.

Malik was preceded in death by his parents, Kâmil and Dudu Ayşe, his first wife Greta Gilmartin Tunador, brother Zeki Tunador, and grandson, Noah Tunador.

The Tunador Family will be receiving friends on the Winter Solstice, Wednesday, December 21st between 2 and 8pm at their home in Thornburg. If you are not able to attend, please light a candle in his memory after sundown. 

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the University of Pittsburgh Turkish Nationality Room Scholarship in memory of Malik Tunador.

https://www.nationalityrooms.pitt.edu/donate (You will see two options: (1) Turkish Room Scholarship links to the room endowment and (2) Turkish Room General Fund provides direct funds for operating expenses including the scholarship)

Arrangements by Duster Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. 347 E 10^th Ave, Tarentum, 724-224-1526. VISIT: dusterfh.com