One of the most successful and respected Bulgarian immigrants in Chicago, Hamid Rusev, has passed away, BG VOICE reported.He passed away on August 8. In recent years, Hamid, as everyone in Chicago called him, had been battling complications following a stroke.He has been in hospital for several months. Hamd Rusev passed away at the age of 85. His remains will be laid to rest next to his wife in Chicago. A memorial service in memory of the remarkable Bulgarian will be held in September.

Hamid Rusev fled the communist regime in Bulgaria in 1963, together with Shefket Chapadjiev. Hamid Rusev and Shefket Chapadjiev were very good friends. For many years, Hamid welcomed generations of Bulgarian immigrants to Chicago, where he opened the first Bulgarian restaurant "Rodopa". He was also a long-time publisher and sponsor of the newspaper "Bulgaria".