Behzad Mansouri

Behzad “Ben” Mansouri, resident of Bethesda, MD, peacefully passed away on September 1, 2022. He was born in Tehran, Iran and immigrated to the United States in 1983 and is survived by his wife of 48 years, Linda, and their son, Farzad, and daughter, Azadeh “Azzie”, his younger brother, Sohrab, and younger sister, Jinous. Behzad received an Associate Degree in Arts from College of Siskiyous of California in 1961, a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from University of Idaho in 1963, a Master of Agriculture from University of Idaho in 1967 and an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Construction Management Technology from Northern Virginia Community College in 1987. As a soil specialist, he worked on establishing dairy farms and other agricultural developments throughout Iran. After immigrating, Behzad worked as a property manager for his father in-law’s three buildings in downtown Washington, D.C. for 27 years as well as establishing his Behzad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease since 2010 and has been an active member of the Parkinson’s Foundation and associations until his death. As such, in lieu of flowers, his family asks for donations to be made in his memory to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

As his son, my father was strict but very encouraging. He was always there to support me, but didn’t pressure me to overachieve. He taught me right from wrong, helped me to learn how to grill, and made sure I had good memories of him, as well as laughter, before he passed on. He got me into science fiction and would always watch shows with me. The fondest memories I have are of us watching episodes of “Star Trek: the Next Generation”. He would ask me to explain what was going on and I would tell him at the end. He will be missed.

Behzad, you were the greatest big brother that I could ever wish for. You were always full of energy and eager for adventure and exploration. You were my older brother by 14 years, and you played a father role for me since our father was always busy with his many businesses in Iran.

Behzad, you were my guide to be curious, attentive, and be bold in trying new things. I still very much remember our travel to a small island in the middle of Lake Ormia in Azerbaijan where I got so excited when you showed me a leopard hiding in bushes and waiting to catch a wild gazelle, or when we camped near Lake Parishan in Pars, fishing and seeing alligators and numerous birds, or when you puled a few strings right after my high school graduation to sign me up for a long summer camp in mountains of Hamadan where I learned so much about erosion and preserving environment.

My interest in science and engineering comes from you, by bringing home interesting stuff and gadgets, like showing me how sodium metal reacts with water or building a model airplane and flying it and when I crashed it, you simply said, well it’s time to build a better one!

My interest in carpentry and pluming comes from you. Remember, exactly, 21 years ago, you drove from Washington to my house in Sudbury and two of us spent two weeks building a fantastic deck. And now my wife keeps saying how could we sell this house when there is so much of you two is left here.

My dearest brother, you are truly missed but rest assured that so much of you has left in me.