Dr. Nasser Alexander Koucheki

Dr. Nasser Alexander Koucheki was born on September 14, 1992 in Silver Spring, Maryland and is lovingly remembered by his parents Gholamreza and Atousa Koucheki and his younger brother Armon Koucheki. Nasser and his family moved to North Carolina where he graduated from Green Hope High School. Nasser went on to study at North Carolina State University with his Bachelor‘s degree in Biological Sciences. Nasser was later accepted and attended Midwestern University at Phoenix in Glendale, Arizona. His graduation is scheduled for May 2020 in which he will be honored with his medical degree with a Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine. Nasser’s passion in medicine was to pursue a position where he could help athletes that experience repeated head trauma and would be at risk for developing Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).

In order to describe Nasser, it’s best to take words that he spoke himself during his NC State Commencement address at his 2014 college graduation. Nasser pointed out that he was a first generation American of parents who came from Iran and as a family they were learning what it means to be an American while at the same time, learning how to fit in. Nasser moved to NC when he was 9 years old. As Nasser said, “moving down here meant being part of the college culture as colleges are king.” Nasser was an avid sports enthusiast and spoke about how he had to “pick a team”. He noted that red was his favorite color and NC State had a “pretty cool mascot”, so he chose the Wolfpack of NC State University. Nasser was passionate about life and reminded everyone that “you need to be willing to work with others, count on others, and be a part of something bigger than yourself and once you are willing to embrace that, that is when you get the most out of your experiences and your life.”

Nasser said that while simultaneously looking back on the past and contemplating the future, he chose one word - “hope”. The two most important things were that he hoped his classmates made a good friend, someone who will always be a part of his or her life and he hoped that at least once his classmates got to experience pure unfiltered joy where they didn’t care what anybody thought.

Nasser often experienced pure unfiltered joy. Nasser was fearless. He would talk to anyone, and would do anything to make you laugh. He lived a life bigger than himself and, to use his words, “be confident and do all of the craziest things from your wildest dreams but always remember, be loud and be proud.” He was kind, caring and lit up a room with his quick wit, and pure enthusiasm for life.

Nasser was passionate about sports of all kinds but was particularly passionate about football and hockey. Even at a young age Nasser could list all professional football teams, the players and recite stats. He particularly liked the Washington Redskins and started attending games as often as possible around 7 years old. Once he moved to NC, he was immediately drawn to the Carolina Hurricanes hockey team. He was at so many Hurricanes games that he was recognizable to many players.

Dr. Nasser Alexander Koucheki, 27, passed away on Sunday, February 9, 2020 as a result of a car accident in Arizona.

Nasser has a very large extended family who meant everything to him. To apply his own words to his family “The strength of the pack is in the wolf and the strength of the wolf is in the pack.” He is lovingly remembered by his maternal grandmother, Parvaneh Tabnak of Gaithersburg, MD, his aunt Shari Tabnak of Rockville, MD, Farid Khordehpaz, Fariba Khordehpaz, Fariboorz Khordehpaz, Amir Khordehpaz, Medhi Khordehpaz, Solmaz Khordehpaz, all of Mehrshar, Iran and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins residing in the US and Iran.

He is also remembered by his paternal family including Reza and Sadigheh Koucheki of Chicago, IL; Dr. Mohammad and Rebecca Koucheki of Crossville, TN; Ali and Janine Koucheki of Cary, NC; Javad Koucheki, Roohi Koucheki, Majid Koucheki, Hosein Koucheki, all of Iran, and especially his cousins and their families: Leilea Koucheki Martin of Pike Road, AL; Cameron Koucheki-Motta of Nashville, TN; Cassidy Koucheki-Sellick of Atlanta, GA; Ashkon Koucheki of Winston-Salem, NC and Abram Koucheki of Winston-Salem, NC and his numerous aunts, uncles and cousins residing in the US and Iran.

Family will receive friends on Sunday, February 16, 2020 from 1:00 -2:45 pm at Mitchell Funeral Home in Raleigh. A Service Celebrating His Life will begin at 2:45 pm in the funeral home chapel, with interment to follow at Raleigh Memorial Park.

Flowers are welcomed; however, memorial contributions may be made in Nasser’s memory to STOPCTE.org. StopCTE.org was founded on behalf of Patrick Risha to help prevent Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy “CTE” in future athletes and military service members, to provide a resource for understanding the disease, how it is caused, and how to stop it.

If you would like to leave a favorite memory or message of condolence to his family, you may do so below within "add a memory". If you would like to arrange for a floral tribute - please contact the florist directly at Expressions of Love Florist (919) 552-4512.