My name is Nina Gazanfari and I am a former student and deep admirer of your father, Dr Meisami. I wish to offer my condolences to you and your family for your father’s passing and share some of the wonderful memories he graced my life with.

I first met your father as a college student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in his physiology course. On the first day of the course, I felt his contagious passion for human physiology and I knew that his course would be one of my favorites all semester. He taught so uniquely from other professors. He would walk up and down the aisles of the 200 person lecture hall, making every corner of the room feel welcome and engaged. He called on us to answer questions, referring to each of us as “my friend.” He taught difficult physiological topics in a comprehensible manner through his fan-favorite Physiology Coloring Book, a fun way to learn. I cherish my copy.

I will always have a special place in my heart for your father because he made U of I feel like a home to me, and he made me feel that somebody believed in me and thought I was important when I was at the most infantile stage of my career journey. There is a quote that goes something like this: “You can tell a lot about a man’s character by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.” That quote reminds me a lot of your father, because he had a way of seeing through people, seeing what we could become and seeing what we could add to the world instead of what we were at that moment. He was transcendent.

I often felt like a “fish in the sea” in many of my 300+ student biology classes at U of I, but not with Dr Meisami. He had a special way of finding something worthwhile in every person he met, and he was great at bringing the best out in people. He wrote me a letter of recommendation for medical school which I could not have gotten into medical school without, and I am forever grateful for his support and belief in me.

I will honor your father’s support of my lifelong dream by aiming to emanate my favorite qualities of his: his kindness, his ability to see the good in people, his zest for life and discovery, his love for science, and his compassion.

I am sending warm thoughts of comfort and consolation to you and your family and hoping that you are feeling some peace. I am blessed to have known your father and will forever respect and regard him as one of my biggest inspirations and role models in this life. May his kind soul rest in peace.

Sincerely,
Nina

Dear Mona, Nooshin, Julie, Ayda;
I wish to offer my condolences to you and your family for your father’s passing. We were
remembering how much we appreciated him sending his book of “The Physiology Coloring
Book” to us at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in Iran to translate it to Persian. Seeing
eahc other in the congress of Iranian society of physiology and pharmacology in Hamedan was
quite pleased. I was always congratulating him on our eids. He is always in my heart and I
remember him fondly. I will never forget him.

Respectfully,
Belal Mosaferi, Ph.D Student of Physiology
Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

A 40th day remembrance for Dr. Esmail Meisami will be held on Wednesday, February 27th, at the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), University of Tehran, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.   Everyone is invited.

چه خبر تلخ و دردناک و تکان دهنده ای است- نمی توانم باور کنم که استاد عزیزمان که وجودی پر از صفا و محبت داشتند از بینمان رفته باشند- باورتان شاید نشه که من همیشه و بخصوص این اواخر امیدوار بودم در اینده نزدیکی ایشان رادو باره در انستیتو بیوشیمی بیوفیزیک دانشگاه تهران در آزمایشگاه خودشان ببینم- خیلی خیلی از انچه پیش امده متاسفم و به شما صمیمانه تسلیت میگم‫.‬
‎پروانه نورجاه

یاد  و خاطره استاد فقید دکتر میثمی راگرامی میدارم وبرای شما صبر و شکیبایی و عمر طولانی آرزو دارم.
‎پروین قوسی

‎

I was really stunned with the news of Essie which Parviz passed to me today.  My memories are still strong and warm of our days together in Berkeley. I kept thinking there would be a reunion one day and we would all sit and around and laugh remembering the happy times.   Perhaps this can still happen but without Essie there will be a big part missing.

Please accept my condolences on the loss of such a lovely soul.

Best regards,  Dale
Dale Whiteside

We have lost a very good friend, but for me he was a very special friend since 1964 when we met at UC Berkeley. I am saddened so much that by sharing some of my memories of my good friend I am doing a bit of self-grief therapy and I beg your patience. Essie was a “human par excellence.” It is hard to use the past tense now!

Amongst the Iranian students at UCB we were a minority in Biological Sciences. He just started his BA program in physiology and I was in my second year of my PhD in genetics. We both witnessed the sixties events together, had many common friends, participated in many discussions on all kinds of issues–including, Iranian politics, shared good food, and hosted each other’s weddings. We both returned to Iran to “serve.”

Essie and I joined the Department of Biology of Tehran University and I at the then National University of Iran. We began teaching our fields of interest and were so excited to bring the “good news” to the most enthusiastic students. He was my most trusted colleague with whom I could share my personal issues, including problems with the notorious SAVAK. It was Essie who, by introducing me to Lisa and Fereydoun Javadi, set the groundwork for me to remain in Iran. After two years of teaching, mostly without pay, in 1972 I decided to immigrate,  first to the US and then to Canada. Eventually, the Essie-Javadi team set the groundwork for my pardon by the late Shah and, finally, the closing of my file. Together with the new team, IBB was created and then came the revolution, which created a new problem for both Essie and me. During all the turmoil Essie kept his usual positive attitude, of course with a smile. He loved children and was a humanist at heart. We used to enjoy Essie and Julie’s weekend hospitality in their newly built Karaj home, where our children played together.

My last communication with Essie was two weeks ago when expressed his joy at seeing my granddaughter’s picture. My sincere condolences to Essies’s extended family in Illinois and California.

Yadash javidan,
Parviz Sabour

I am so sad to hear that our dear Dr Meisami has passed away. He was an amazing  person, a great teacher and a wonderful friend. His passing will not only leave a void in our lives, but in the hearts of everyone who knew him, and his memory will always remain deep within my heart. Please give my thoughts and prayers to his family. Also please let me know if there is any memorial ceremony for him in Iran.

Latif Safari

Dear All,

With a great sorrow and sadness, we have heard about the death of our beloved professor Dr. Esmail Meisami on January 21, 2013. With the loss of Dr. Meisami we lose a gifted scientist, adviser and teacher, a friend and supporter who was always able to fascinate young scientists and provide nice inspiration to everyone he met. We never forget that he made his “Brain Chemistry” course very interesting for his students, and we learned so much from him during our education at the University of Tehran. He was one of a kind, and so passionate about what he taught, that’s for sure.  It is really hard for all of us, and we certainly feel a big hole here. He will be greatly missed.

Shirin Manouchehri and Firouz Jahani

I really don’t know how to express my grief and sadness for the passing of one our best friends and colleagues. During the past two weeks I had extended communications with him, and we had so much fun chatting and writing.  I have a class to teach but don’t know how I can manage to focus on the subject!!

Esmail (Emad) Hoseiny Shokraii

To all caring and thoughtful scholars, Once again,  I am totally sadden with deep grief from such an astonishing brief, in regard to Dr. Esmail Meisami’s sudden death. He was a kind, caring , thoughtful, and humble scientist  with a high standard, who carried and left behind a vast amount of knowledge to be used by others. His performance was in accordance with a true human being.

Vali Kermani

I am grateful to Ellen and Ali for giving me a chance to see Essie on his visit to California and to tell him that he always inspired in me hope, joy, and love for life; he will always be in my heart.

Rouhi Safaei

It is said that there are 7 stages of grief when one is faced with a loss of a person close to one’s heart, the first being shook and denial.  For Essie’s friends, the first stage of grief will last a very, very, very  long time because Essie was so full of life. Unbelievable and utterly sad,

Khashi Karimian

Our dear Essie could be summed up by saying “he had a loving heart.”  All his good qualities and the motivation for his remarkable contributions sprang from his spontaneous, unselfconscious and ever flowing love. He abides in the hearts of those he touched with his love

Farhad Shafa

It is so sad! His sweetness and innocence will be always remembered.  He was a devoted scholar and appreciated interactions with scientists at all levels.  Always helpful to people around him. Unfortunately, life was not fair to him and he went through major hardships.  I will never forget his constant struggle to overcome the obstacles facing him in his family life and his own health issues. It is difficult to believe that he is gone!

Khashayar Javaherian

I feel very sad today, my teacher Professor Esmail Meisami passed away;
He created possibilities in my mind I find impossible to weigh.

Meisami with the D’Javadis admitted me to U. Tehran in 1977;
At that time I truly felt, I was in academic heaven;
They formed my hunger and skills like master-bakers of lavash un-leaven.

At IBB, they sent me to Kashi, Iraj, and Vali to learn immunology and biochemistry.
So I would never feel doubt with abstruseness, and never descend to compromising with in-confident sullenness.

The revolution, then consumed Iran, and scattered academics as animals chased from a barn;
Our hopes, dreams, and homes were left behind;
We stretched and re-connected like strained ropes, and said “never mind.”

Each found her/his way to begin again;
Tenacity, acumen, luck, and efforts delivered no vain.
When challenges were surmounted, each was perched on her/his mountain;
Like Essie, each learned to be resourceful — an unending fountain.

In Iran, Essie and Vali had advised me about my immune deficiency and reactions to stress;
With advisement, they gave me literature to learn and cope when I was struck with M.S.

Later Essie taught me by example, to write and send books to the press;
My words don’t convey my thanks for his humanity and largess.

My friend passed away, January 21, twenty thirteen, and I mourn his loss;
He was as tenacious as arctic moss;
Etched in my mind, are his smile, skills, humanity, and that profile of Nicholas Clause.

From the first day I met Dr. Meisami, he had a great influence on me. A person whose encouragement and advice would shape not only my career but also my life.

He was not just a great academic but also a great man.

I am honoured to have had him as my professor, my mentor and my friend.

My condolences to his dear family and all who knew him. He will forever be in my heart and eternally present in my mind.

Nasrin Haamedi

To the dear Meisami family and friends.

It is with great sorrow that we receive the news of Dr. Meisami’s passing, one of the best Iranian scientists, a very good man, and a great professor.

We send our deepest condolences to you all.

We wish you strength in this difficult time.

Homa, Pezechk Mostachfi

What happened ?  I can’t believe it – in our exchange of New Year greetings we planned to get together in California soon.  It is so sad – I sympathize and feel every word you and his students say about him.

We will miss him dearly,

How sad!

Farrokh Modabber

I remember Dr. Meisami as a very pleasant and kind gentleman, and that he was very effective in helping with the arrangements for the 1975 IBB symposium in Tehran.  I was also pleased to learn that he organized another IBB-sponsored international symposium in his field of interest.

I very much regret his passing , and I thank you for giving me the sad news.

Youssef Hatefi

.از دریافت خبر تاسف بار درگذشت استاد عزیز اقای دکتر اسماعیل میثمی بسیارغمگین شدم. این شانس را داشتم که سال گذشته ایشان را در تهران ملاقات کنم.چهره ی شاد و چشمان خندان ایشان را در این دیدار هرگز از یاد نخواهم برد 

مهین براتی

It was hard to all of us  to hear such a sad news of the passing of our great old colleague, Dr. Meisami.

My condolences to you and his family.

Shahin Ahmadian

It is indeed hard to believe Dr. Esmail Meisami is no longer with us.  I have known Essie since 1971, when he joined the University of Tehran as new faculty of the biology department. We all were very excited to begin our graduate program and could not wait meeting the newly hired, UC-Berkley educated professor who would be teaching “Advanced Brain Chemistry class.  I still remember Essie’s happy face, big smile, and most importantly eager educating us in a totally new ways, unlike the ones we were accustomed—what an awesome memorable day and we all were very, very happy to be his student.

I feel fortunate to have known Dr. Meisami for over 41 years, first as a graduate student at the University of Tehran, then as a colleague at IBB, and later as a dearest friend and mentor at UC-Barkley. His matchless passion for teaching, giving heart, unconditional caring for his family and friends, and comforting smile would always be remembered. My sincere condolences to all, his loved ones, extended family, friends and students.  I am still in shock and cannot imagine he is gone – I will sorely miss him.

Mahtash Moussavi

Dear Mona,

With a heavy heart and great sorrow I am sending my deepest condolences to you and all your family and anyone who was lucky to have known your Dad. I have known your dad since he started working in Tehran. Your Dad and the rest of the young generation coming to our department were a breath of fresh air, bringing their knowledge , enthusiasm,  energy , and vitality which was really  inspiring. I collaborated with your Dad and my relation with him and your mother went well beyond being colleagues, to a friendship that lasted for ever. Later I met him in London and he introduced me to renown English physiologist Dr Richter. I also met him in USA , and although we were not in close contact lately, I heard about him trough friends .

I am so sorry I could not joint you to pay my last respect to your Dad. I am currently recovering from surgery to remove a benign brain tumor, and cannot travel for the time being.

You had a wonderful Dad with a big heart, full of kindness. His passing is a big loss for all of us.

May God bless his soul, protect you and your family and help you to heal soon.

My best wishes and regards,

Tahereh Rahmani

زدو دیده خون فشانم ز غمت شب جدائی

چه کنم که هست اینها گل باغ آشنائی

.خبر تاثر انگیزی بود

دکتر میثمی در گذرگاه زندگی فردی پویا و عاشق بود و انصافا خوب جنگید. لبخند های او هیچگاه از خاطرم نمی رود. اقبال یارم بود که سال گذشته وصل دیداری با ایشان و همسر گرامیشان (نوشین) داشتم که دوام دیدار هنوز در چشم مغزم ماندگار است.

یادش گرامی باد : محمود غفاری

IBB

خبر…کوتاه اما تاسف بار بود..در چند ماه اخیر دو استاد بزرگ  مارا ترک کرده و به سفر جاودانگی رفتند.دکتر ملکزاده و دکتر میثمی ..وهردو درغربت وحسرت آرمیدن در وطن….

شاید شانس بزرگ من بود که توانستم دکتر میثمی دوست داشتنی را پس از سی سال و تنها چند ماه پیش از رفتنش ببینم و این اقبال را از از علی

و الن عزیز دارم. من و اناهیتا در غم   بازماندگان دکتر میثمی شریک هستیم و برایشان طول عمر و روزهای خوش طلب میکنیم 

.محمود و آناهیتا شعیبی

Please accept my heartfelt condolences upon the loss of your loved one.

Essie was a wonderful person and a good friend to have.

When we left IBB in Iran we were both working
in two separate building opposite each other at university
of California at Berkeley. One day I was going to a public phone to make a
phone call to reject the offer that I received from my present job.  I run into Essie and
as usual he asked me ” where are you going?” and I told him about my purpose.
While we were standing under an Eucalyptus tree He took his time and explained to
me why I was not making a wise decision.
I took his advice and I am very happy that I listened to him;
he is always in my heart and I remember him fondly.
God bless his soul.

Love,
Iraj Ganjian