Our father, Amir, was born in Tehran, Iran, the youngest of six. He grew up in a modest home in outskirts of Tehran overlooking the beautiful Alborz mountain in Gholhak area. He often spoke fondly about growing up in that neighborhood, and of the Zafar river that ran through Gholhak.
Amir married our beloved mother Nahid in 1959. Amir and Nahid have three children Ali, Farshid and Farnaz.
Amir joined the cultural ministry shortly after completing his compulsory military training. He rose through the ranks and ultimately became managing director of the Tehran Library System. In addition, Amir had a fondness for running entrepreneurial businesses. He was a residential housing builder as well as part owner and operator of a HVAC manufacturing company in Gholhak.
In 1978, Amir decided to permanently move his family to Atlanta and join his two sons who were already in the US for their studies. Uprooting the family from the successful life that he had built back home to a future of unknown was a monumental decision. It labeled well with his bold decision making, but above all, the family was whole again and that meant the most to him.
The first couple of years in the US were tough. Challenged by financial, cultural and language barrier issues, attaining the kind of life for the family that he had worked so hard to achieve back home seemed out of reach but he pressed on. Sense of duty that he must provide for his family in his new found home prevailed. He understood that life as he knew had changed and he must adjust to it. He rolled up his sleeves and got to work. His hard work habit paid off. When he finally decided to retire at age 69, he knew he had achieved his life most important purpose of taking care of his family.
Amir loved his extended family of sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews. He was happiest at the family gatherings. Our fondest childhood memories are the family trips we took to the shores of Caspian Sea or to the southern cities of Isfahan and Shiraz. In retirement years, Baba loved to cook especially grilling kabob in our frequent family gatherings. He most enjoyed time his grandchildren.
Dad made sure we understood to never give up on oneself even when facing insurmountable challenges. Dad was kind and had a great sense of humor. He liked to joke and his smile radiated a sense of reassurance that things will be alright. Dad will be dearly missed.
Amir is survived by his wife Nahid, his sister, Aghdas, three children and three grandchildren.
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