Atif A. Odeh

Atif Amin Odeh, 59, of Lanark, IL, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2025. He was born on October 10, 1965, in Palestine, to Amin Odeh and the late Fatimah Odeh.

Atif was a visionary, a leader, and a legend. He built a highly successful business from the ground up, pouring his heart, intelligence, and relentless work ethic into making it thrive. His determination and ability to turn ideas into reality left an incredible mark, inspiring not just his family, but everyone who knew him.

Atif dedicated his life to providing a good and prosperous future for his family, which began when he met his wife at the University of Illinois. His tireless work ethic, coupled with his deep love and devotion, was evident in everything he did. He founded ATRONA, a company that became a leader in the field of metallurgy and engineering, making countless contributions that helped shape the industry. His work in metallurgy, particularly in heat treatment and failure analysis, left a lasting legacy. Through his extensive knowledge and expertise, he authored two influential books that are still widely referenced today, with his impact reverberating across the industry.

In addition to his professional achievements, Atif was an incredibly gifted poet. His work in poetry won him several local awards growing up in Kuwait, and his ability to capture the beauty of life and the human spirit left many in awe. His words had the power to move, inspire, and leave others speechless, and he often used poetry as a means of expressing his love to his family.

Beyond his business success, Atif was a man of many passions. He found joy in deep, meaningful conversations both with strangers but especially with his closest friends who meant so much to him. He cherished time with his family, planned countless adventures with his beloved wife, Robin, and had an insatiable curiosity about the world and its cultures. He was a true animal lover, a superhero movie enthusiast, and a man whose warmth and wisdom made everyone feel valued. His ability to reflect on himself and form deep connections with others was rare and unforgettable.

Atif is survived by his devoted wife and best friend of nearly 40 years, Robin Odeh; his children, Nadia (33), Adam (30), and Nathan (26); his father, Amin Odeh; siblings Ali (Lubna), Alaa, Ghada (Mohammad), Muhammed (Sameera), Ibrahim (Zainab), Sami (Fidda), and Osamah (Samar); many nieces and nephews and two of their mothers, Denise and Pinar, and two special friends Paul and Mike.

Atif’s impact, wisdom, and legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten. May Allah accept him and reward him greatly. Verily, we belong to Allah, and to Him is our return.

Visitation will be held at Burke-Tubbs in Freeport, IL, at 10:30 AM, followed by a service at 11:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity: Healing Palestine.