Jalal Golshan

Dr. Jalal Golshan, affectionately known as "Babajoon", passed away peacefully on August 8, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and intellectual curiosity that spanned over a century. Born on November 25, 1922, in Yazd, Iran, he was the third child of Reza Golshan and Robabeh Kazemian. He grew up in a close-knit family with three sisters and two brothers.

Dr. Golshan’s academic journey began at Dar ul-Funun high school in Tehran, where he cultivated a passion for learning that pervaded through every aspect of his life. He pursued his undergraduate studies in Law at the University of Tehran and went on to earn his PhD in Law from the same prestigious institution. His intellectual rigor and dedication to the law led him to a distinguished career as a judge in the cities of Kerman and Yazd. Later, he also served as a highly respected lawyer in Tehran, advocating for justice with integrity and compassion.

In 1945, Dr. Golshan married Sakineh “Safa” Farhangi, the love of his life, with whom he shared a deeply committed marriage for 60 years until her passing in 2005. Together, they focused on the educational and personal growth of their five children, instilling in them the values of knowledge, perseverance, and kindness. His family remained the center of his world, and he took immense pride in their achievements, celebrating each milestone with a poem—always adding his unique blend of wisdom and humor.

In 1989, at the age of 67, Dr. Golshan made the bold decision to emigrate from Iran to the United States, ultimately settling in Houston, Texas. This move marked the beginning of yet another chapter in his remarkable life. A lover of travel, Dr. Golshan explored the world with an insatiable curiosity, visiting everywhere from Europe to China, Russia, Brazil, Costa Rica, and beyond. A highlight for him was his three-month exploration of the Fertile Crescent and North African regions with his wife; a journey that began with a pilgrimage to Mecca. At every stop, he sought to broaden his perspective and deepen his appreciation for diverse cultures which is reflected in his extensive collection of books and international currencies, and his knowledge of the Arabic, French, and English languages.

Even in his later years, Dr. Golshan’s intellectual pursuits never waned. In his early 80s, he authored two volumes of the book Yazd-e Dee-rooz (The Yazd of Yesterday), a labor of love that chronicled the history and culture of his beloved hometown throughout the Pahlavi era. The first volume was published in 2004, and the second, completed during the pandemic in 2020. In addition to his own writings, in 2006, Dr. Golshan translated and published the book Five Years in a Persian Town from English to Persian, further contributing to the literary and cultural heritage of Iran. As a respected author and historian, his enduring commitment to documenting and preserving the past will live on through his literature. His legacy of knowledge extends beyond his writings, demonstrated by his generous donations of artifacts and books to the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston and a cultural center in Yazd, ensuring that future generations can continue to learn and be inspired by Iranian history.

Dr. Golshan’s deep love for the arts and human connection was further reflected through his hobbies. His beautiful calligraphy writing was a testament to his meticulous attention to detail and will notably be remembered on the Eidi notes he gave to his family and the masterful poems about the highlights of his everyday life. He will be remembered by the many soulful evenings spent lost in the readings of his poems, where his metaphors and analogies conjured the most vivid images to one’s mind, always rich with meaning, hidden life lessons, and a touch of humor. These poetry readings were often followed by poker games with his family, where his sharp wit left everyone at the table wondering how they managed to lose their pocket change to his mischievous grin.

His brilliant sense of humor and seemingly limitless knowledge of the world around him will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He leaves behind a legacy embodying the very best of what it means to live a full and meaningful life—one characterized by resilience, optimism, and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Babajoon will be remembered not just as a loving father, grandfather, mentor, and friend, but as a beacon of light whose presence and boisterous laugh made the world a brighter place.

Dr. Golshan is survived by his beloved sister, his 5 devoted children and their spouses, 11 adoring grandchildren and their spouses, and 9 cherished great-grandchildren. His memory will forever be etched in their hearts, as well as in the hearts of the countless friends and extended family members who had the privilege of knowing him.