Hooshang Soltanzadeh

Hooshang was born in Iran on July 4, 1937, and was the oldest of six children. His father owned a small store in their town, and Hooshang went to work when he was very young, showing at an early age the devotion to family and hard work that he would carry throughout his life. The family eventually moved to Tehran, where Hooshang earned a coveted place in medical school, taking his first step toward fulfilling his dream of becoming a surgeon.

Following his graduation from medical school and training in Iran, Hooshang came to the United States to complete his residency at Beaumont Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. It was at Beaumont where he met his future wife, Rebecca, who was working as a nurse at the time. They married in 1970 and moved to New Jersey for his surgical training, where Shareen was born. Eventually, they settled in Des Moines, Iowa, where Stephen was born, and where Hooshang met a rich community of colleagues and lifelong friends.

Hooshang Soltanzadeh worked in Des Moines for 25 years as a cardio-thoracic surgeon. He loved his work. He was an accomplished surgeon and author of several publications, but the honor that made him most proud was when he was named ‘Instructor of the Year’ by his hospital. He devoted his life to saving the lives of others, and took great joy in training the next generation of surgeons to do the same.

That love of teaching is also part of what made him a wonderful, loving father. He enjoyed his life - he loved to travel, run, play tennis, play golf, and read - but above all he loved and cared for his children, working hard to carve out special time for them despite his demanding career and many obligations.

During retirement in San Diego, Hooshang played countless rounds of golf, and enjoyed time with his family and friends. But, true to his lifelong devotion to his family, his favorite pastime soon became spending time with his grandchildren: playing with them, celebrating birthdays and holidays, watching them grow, and creating lifelong memories.

Hooshang is survived by his daughter, Shareen (Mark) Pflanz, son Stephen (Nicole) Soltanzadeh; cherished grandchildren Allison (19), Katherine (17), Jackson (12), Owen (17) and Oliver (15); his brother, and two sisters. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, brother, and numerous relatives, colleagues, and friends over the course of his long and full life.

His family wishes to thank the people at the Kensington and the doctors and nurses at Inova Fairfax Hospital for their care and compassion.

Visitation and funeral service will be held at 1:30pm on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at The National Funeral Home and Memorial Park in Falls Church, VA, followed by a private burial. Memorial contributions may be sent to the American Heart Association or the American Parkinson Disease Association.