Dr. Meisami was one of the most inspirational people I’ve ever had the opportunity to know. I am currently finishing up my third year of medical school, and I am here in large part from my near-daily discussions about life, relationships, and a little physiology in his office. I would like to offer my remorse, but more importantly to encourage celebration of the life that Dr. Meisami lived to his family and friends. He made such an impact on the students at the University of Illinois, and knew how to appreciate all that life has to offer. Everyone has that professor that changed his/her life for the better, and that was quite often Dr. Meisami, and his incredible stories to supplement the difficult course taught through a coloring book.
Dr. Meisami was one of the professors on my Ph.D. committee, but he was certainly much more than that. This is what I wrote in my thesis acknowledgements for him:
“… my endless gratitude and thanks to Dr. Esmail Meisami. It is difficult for me to imagine overcoming all the obstacles that I have faced without his kind support and critical help. I have been privileged to have him, not only as an advisor in the matters of research, but also in every other aspect of my life. It has been a great privilege to know him, as otherwise my definition of humanity-at-its-best would be deficient. I am indebted to him and his wife Nooshin as much as a son can be indebted to his parents.”
When I heard the sad news of Dr. Meisami’s passing, the first thing that went through my mind was how much I will miss all his niceness and kindness. It is hard to accurately describe Dr. Meisami’s niceness, but I will try. You could always hear and feel the excitement in his voice when you talked with him, no matter when you would catch him, and no matter how busy he was. In addition to his general niceness, his niceness was specifically tailored to help you succeed in your life and reach your goals. He would help you realize your potentials and then plan to reach them while supporting you all the way. I have lost the number of times that he called or emailed me to let me know that he had just solved a problem that I was facing.
Dr. Meisami was nice when you needed help or just needed to hear a kind word, but he was also nice when you did not know that you needed it, and most importantly he was nice when you did not think that you deserved it. Sometimes a long time would pass before understanding how his niceness had impacted you. Dr. Meisami is the type of person that comes to mind when I hear the expression: “larger than life”. He was a lightning rod for attracting wonderful people to him. Most of the friends that I made while studying as a graduate student was through him.
Another of Dr. Meisami’s characteristics I will miss greatly was his love and interest for life, and trying to understand it in all its different aspects. One could say he was child-like when it came to this love as he never abandoned the ability to let himself be genuinely surprised and awed; and probably that is one reason he was a great scientist. He talked about his wife as if they were newlyweds, and he talked about his daughters as if they were just born. He would listen to you as if he just met you and found you to be the most important and interesting person on Earth.
To sum up how Dr. Meisami impacted my life it is apt to say that he is the one who makes it easier for me to survive his loss; by keeping a continuously positive outlook, no matter the contrary, which is what he taught me as a great mentor, great teacher and a great friend.
It is a very sad news, and hard to believe.
Esmail was a very family oriented person. He had a lovely personality with a friendly character. He was a well read and well educated person. When he came back from the States he became the professor of Tehran University in the faculty of Science.
The last time that I saw him it was a very coincidental meeting in 1979, at the Faculty club of Tehran University. In my recollection, in that day he was with two of his colleagues. It was in the vestige of Revolution, and we were happy to see each other. During the lunch; like every single Iranian; we only discussed and talked about the Revolution, which was taking place. It was when I discovered that this cousin of my mother was a sincere and sensitive young man with a vast knowledge about politics, and deep feeling about Iran.
Then after few years in 1985, when I was in California; by chance I met late Dr.Ardalan Davaran, an Iranian Professors in MESA conference. I knew him from Teheran University, whom happened to be Esmail’s friend. When he understood that I knew Essi, he called him right away and asked him if he could guess who was there with him?! In that day; happy to hear from each other, for the first and last time, we had a long telephonic conversation.
Unfortunately, the following day I was flying home, so there was no chance to see each other. And that was the last time that I talked to him.
What a pity, and what a great loss.
Ravanash SHade, and Yadash Bekhaire.
Mahboobe Khanbghi”
A truly caring family friend, professor, and a great symbol of humanity. His smiling face will always remain in my memory. Dr. Meisami was always full of positive energy and brought happiness to his surroundings.
What a wonderful life to leave behind!!!
To Dr. Meisami’s family and loved ones I wish to send my condolences.
I came across the sad news of his passing in preparing a thank you note for the letter of recommendation he wrote me. I was recently accepted into medical school and could not have done it without him. So Dr. Meisami, thank you!
I will remember him fondly as my favorite professor at UIUC. His warmth and kindness certainly left an impression on all his students.
Dear Julie, Nooshin, Mona; Ayda; and my IBB U.Tehran Family:
Words we exchange and those from others may comfort today, and in time, our own thoughts will. I wish all peace, and good health, and the ability to find a lifetime of fulfillment. From Ali’s email below, names Julie (Essie’s his first wife) and their daughter Mona come to my mind from short time I spent at Parthian School in Darekeh, Tehran, in Renata Dilshadian’s office with her husband Musa, and their science teacher Helen Pirooz, so the School could develop a biology and chemistry program for O- and A-levels education in Iran through the U. Cambridge systems. I do not recall their second daughter Ayda (please forgive me for this). After reading Ali’s, Farhad’s, Shirin’s and Feruz’s emails this morning, my mind transited life’s many stations, and I wrote down my thoughts using Ali’s title. Ali plays a unique glial-cell-like nurturing role in our diasporic IBB organism, and I am truly grateful to him.
Sad News
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.
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.
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.
On behalf on the associates at Bergner’s in Champaign, our prayers and hearts are with and your family at the passing of your father. Noshin has been part of selling family and we extend our condolences to your family. I was so fortunate to have ben able to attend Saturday’s memorial service. Words and emotions only touch on the legacy your father left on everyone he encountered. I have only been the store manger at this Bergner location since late Ocober. In meeting my new team, Noshin extended her hand and a hug of welcome. We worked several times together until she took some time prior to the holidays to rest and recover her strength . I was introduced to your father during one of evenings he was picking Noshin up from work. A smile, a great handshake and a few kind words exchanged. I thought, what a sweet couple.
A few days before, Christmas I was working a late shift after many days in a row. A little tired, a little holiday frazzled. I got a call that a gentleman was waiting for me at the office. Not knowing what was our waiting customer’s needs, I came across the store. It was your father. He extended his hand, smiled and said do you remember me? I smiled back, Noshin’s husband. She said you would remember me. We talked about Noshin, the holidays, how was it to return back to Champaign after graduating so many years ago, if my family had joined me yet and numerous other words in a our visit. He wished me happy holiday, smiled and turned to leave. He stopped and said Nooshin is so glad you ‘re here.
Now looking back , I remember how calm and relaxed I was after those brief words and interaction. All the stress of the day just seemed become minor. During the memorial service, I recall many conversations of the impact your father had on people and how calming and compassionate he was. During our brief acquaintance, I was so fortunate to have had a small taste of the great man he was. Although he is not with us in body, his spirit and legacy remain vibrant.
Respectfully,
Michael Ujcich
Bergner’s at Marketplace Mall
Champaign, Illinois
It was an honor to have known Dr. Essie Meisami for over 20 years. He was a true testament of a caring mentor , passionate teacher, and most importantly a kind soul. His love of people extended beyond humans and was seen through many ways such as caring for animals, his amazing green thumb, and simplicity of life. His sweet inspiring stories with his warm smile and unique way of passing his knowledge will be left as his legacy. Antonio Porchia once said, “one lives in the hope of becoming a memory” and Dr. Meisami will be remembered by many for his gift of teaching and guiding young minds. You will be truly missed. Rest in peace my dear friend.
We felt the utmost heartbreak upon hearing of the passing of our dear friend Essie Meisami.
We have so many fond memories of the times we all spent together—beginning with the wonderful monthly gatherings we had together over 30 years ago when we were all living in the same neighborhood off the Arlington in the El Cerrito/Richmond area—and the two lovely white cats that Essie gave to us at that time. We remember how happy and jovial Essie always was at these gatherings and we have never forgotten his warmth and hospitality. We were first introduced to Dr. Meisami by our dear friend the late Dr. Ardy Davaran back in the early 80’s and from day one of that introduction Essie captured our hearts. What a loss! Dr. Meisami was a true scientist that believed in what he was doing with all of his heart. The numerous comments by his many students throughout all his years of devotion to teaching science is the testimony to this. We are sharing the grief and sorrow of his family and friends, and wishing them the strength to endure this difficult time.
For 30 years Essie and I were colleagues in the Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology at the University of Illinois, and retired at the same time in 2010. Others have spoken to Essie’s extremely warm and supportive interactions with both students and colleagues that were such a pleasure to experience in an often dynamic and demanding environment. I certainly concur. Essie was also an extremely knowledgeable physiologist. He took great interest in seminars of widely diverse physiological topics, and many times made important comments and/or asked thoughtful questions of speakers. My wife Julie and I send our condolences to the Meisami family on the death of this wonderful man.
I am one of Essie’s faculty colleagues and played a role in recruiting him to the University of Illinois, which was probably one of my most important contributions to the University–but of course the credit was all his, as I only came later to appreciate the full range of his qualities. Mentor, teacher, colleague, friend–Essie was rarely gifted in all these roles and, unusual for a Professor at a very competitive institution, his gifts came from his heart as much as from his head. Every time we met, he greeted me as though I was his very best friend. I am sure that many people felt as though they were Essie’s best friend. That seems like a logical paradox, but a heart as big as Essie’s trumped that kind of logic.
I’m so very sorry to hear this news. Dr. Meisami, as I’ll always know him, was such an inspiration and role model to me and so many of his students and friends. He truly believed that every one of us was, as he called everyone, “my friend” and he supported his friends in every way possible. He made us feel important and valued, and able to get through any difficulty. This was as true when I first needed a job and he hired me as a tutor and office worker, as when much later I accidentally killed his goldfish while I was watching the house and plants (!), and his support continued to the present day when I’m a faculty member in the midst of my own career. I’m not sure I can imagine anyone else ever filling those shoes, but I know that we will all remember him a long time, fondly and with love.
I remember looking forward to the first time meeting Essie many, years ago. Mona had been anticipating the arrival for his visit with such excitement! We had a great time together, and lots of laughter, ending the visit at a party thrown by Mona’s work, Indian Rock (Raj!). It was easy to recognize the love and affection that surrounded this family.
It has always been especially joyful for me to see him interact with his grandchildren over the last few years.
Essie’s presence will be greatly missed, but his spirit will linger on in the memories of friends and family, and in the lessons we learned from him.
Dear Mona: This is the message that Ali sent to colleagues and friends today:
Dear friends,
It is with great sorrow and heartbreaking sadness that I bring you the sad news of the passing of my dearest friend and colleague, Dr. Esmail Meisami (Essie). Dr. Meisami died on January 21, 2013 due to heart failure.
Essie obtained his B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1967 and his Ph.D. from the same university in 1970. He then returned to Iran and joined the Biology Department of the Faculty of Science, University of Tehran. He was one of the principal faculty who established the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB). During his tenure at IBB, Dr. Meisami was the most productive faculty member, both in terms of peer reviewed scientific publications and the number of graduate students who obtained their M.S. degrees under his supervision and guidance. The establishment of the neurophysiology laboratory, the electrophysiology laboratory, and the facilities for keeping animals for neurobiology research at IBB are just examples of Essie’s hard work at the institute. More importantly, he assisted in the establishment of a library at IBB which was used by all IBB researchers and by researchers from other institutions. Dr. Meisami was one of the major organizers of the three international symposia held at the University of Tehran by IBB (one on the Structural Basis of Membrane Function (1975), another on Organization and Expression of Euchariotic Genome (1976), and the third in Developmental Neurobiology (1978).
Dr. Meisami returned to the United States in 1980, and after several years at the University of California, Berkeley he joined the faculty of the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. A popular professor at the University of Illinois, he served as associate professor of both Molecular and Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience.
Here is a sample of comments by his students: “Meisami is awesome! He is the sweetest and most hilarious man ever. He really cares about his students and wants them to perform well.”; “Very interesting class with a great lecturer.”; “He is probably the nicest and most understanding professor you will ever have at the University of Illinois…He genuinely wants his students to learn without stress…he wants students to enjoy going to class and learning…I would take any class that is taught by him.”; “How could you not love Dr. Meisami? He thinks every student is brilliant and does what he can to help them achieve their goals. He is always smiling and you can’t help but smile back. Great way to get students enthused about physiology.”; “Doc is one of the best professors I had at U of I. He is friendly and helpful, and he really does get to know his students. I graduated two years ago, but he still recognizes me and asks about how I am doing and even remembers exactly what I AM doing now! He’s wonderful, and physiology would have been awful if it wasn’t for him!”; “It’s a tough class, but I wouldn’t want any other professor teaching it. Meisami does an amazing job of teaching us about the human body.”
In addition to his numerous research papers, Dr. Meisami authored chapters on his research area in several books. He co-authored The Physiology Coloring Book, which has been translated in several languages.
Dr. Meisami is survived by his wife Nooshin, his first wife Julie, and his daughters Mona Reilly and Ayda Meisami.
The Meisamis have been an important part of our family. We just can’t believe that Essie is no longer with us. We miss him terribly.
I met you at Monas wedding and was impressed by your attitude and the love your family had for you..
Mona, I so very sorry for you loss, If I was there I would hug you.. but I can’t, so imagine a group hug..
Dr. Meisami was one of the most inspirational people I’ve ever had the opportunity to know. I am currently finishing up my third year of medical school, and I am here in large part from my near-daily discussions about life, relationships, and a little physiology in his office. I would like to offer my remorse, but more importantly to encourage celebration of the life that Dr. Meisami lived to his family and friends. He made such an impact on the students at the University of Illinois, and knew how to appreciate all that life has to offer. Everyone has that professor that changed his/her life for the better, and that was quite often Dr. Meisami, and his incredible stories to supplement the difficult course taught through a coloring book.
Dr. Meisami was one of the professors on my Ph.D. committee, but he was certainly much more than that. This is what I wrote in my thesis acknowledgements for him:
“… my endless gratitude and thanks to Dr. Esmail Meisami. It is difficult for me to imagine overcoming all the obstacles that I have faced without his kind support and critical help. I have been privileged to have him, not only as an advisor in the matters of research, but also in every other aspect of my life. It has been a great privilege to know him, as otherwise my definition of humanity-at-its-best would be deficient. I am indebted to him and his wife Nooshin as much as a son can be indebted to his parents.”
When I heard the sad news of Dr. Meisami’s passing, the first thing that went through my mind was how much I will miss all his niceness and kindness. It is hard to accurately describe Dr. Meisami’s niceness, but I will try. You could always hear and feel the excitement in his voice when you talked with him, no matter when you would catch him, and no matter how busy he was. In addition to his general niceness, his niceness was specifically tailored to help you succeed in your life and reach your goals. He would help you realize your potentials and then plan to reach them while supporting you all the way. I have lost the number of times that he called or emailed me to let me know that he had just solved a problem that I was facing.
Dr. Meisami was nice when you needed help or just needed to hear a kind word, but he was also nice when you did not know that you needed it, and most importantly he was nice when you did not think that you deserved it. Sometimes a long time would pass before understanding how his niceness had impacted you. Dr. Meisami is the type of person that comes to mind when I hear the expression: “larger than life”. He was a lightning rod for attracting wonderful people to him. Most of the friends that I made while studying as a graduate student was through him.
Another of Dr. Meisami’s characteristics I will miss greatly was his love and interest for life, and trying to understand it in all its different aspects. One could say he was child-like when it came to this love as he never abandoned the ability to let himself be genuinely surprised and awed; and probably that is one reason he was a great scientist. He talked about his wife as if they were newlyweds, and he talked about his daughters as if they were just born. He would listen to you as if he just met you and found you to be the most important and interesting person on Earth.
To sum up how Dr. Meisami impacted my life it is apt to say that he is the one who makes it easier for me to survive his loss; by keeping a continuously positive outlook, no matter the contrary, which is what he taught me as a great mentor, great teacher and a great friend.
It is a very sad news, and hard to believe.
Esmail was a very family oriented person. He had a lovely personality with a friendly character. He was a well read and well educated person. When he came back from the States he became the professor of Tehran University in the faculty of Science.
The last time that I saw him it was a very coincidental meeting in 1979, at the Faculty club of Tehran University. In my recollection, in that day he was with two of his colleagues. It was in the vestige of Revolution, and we were happy to see each other. During the lunch; like every single Iranian; we only discussed and talked about the Revolution, which was taking place. It was when I discovered that this cousin of my mother was a sincere and sensitive young man with a vast knowledge about politics, and deep feeling about Iran.
Then after few years in 1985, when I was in California; by chance I met late Dr.Ardalan Davaran, an Iranian Professors in MESA conference. I knew him from Teheran University, whom happened to be Esmail’s friend. When he understood that I knew Essi, he called him right away and asked him if he could guess who was there with him?! In that day; happy to hear from each other, for the first and last time, we had a long telephonic conversation.
Unfortunately, the following day I was flying home, so there was no chance to see each other. And that was the last time that I talked to him.
What a pity, and what a great loss.
Ravanash SHade, and Yadash Bekhaire.
Mahboobe Khanbghi”
A truly caring family friend, professor, and a great symbol of humanity. His smiling face will always remain in my memory. Dr. Meisami was always full of positive energy and brought happiness to his surroundings.
What a wonderful life to leave behind!!!
Farhad, Kianoosh, Sepideh, and Sahar Ashrafzadeh
To Dr. Meisami’s family and loved ones I wish to send my condolences.
I came across the sad news of his passing in preparing a thank you note for the letter of recommendation he wrote me. I was recently accepted into medical school and could not have done it without him. So Dr. Meisami, thank you!
I will remember him fondly as my favorite professor at UIUC. His warmth and kindness certainly left an impression on all his students.
So sorry for your loss,
Alex Waldman
Dear Julie, Nooshin, Mona; Ayda; and my IBB U.Tehran Family:
Words we exchange and those from others may comfort today, and in time, our own thoughts will. I wish all peace, and good health, and the ability to find a lifetime of fulfillment. From Ali’s email below, names Julie (Essie’s his first wife) and their daughter Mona come to my mind from short time I spent at Parthian School in Darekeh, Tehran, in Renata Dilshadian’s office with her husband Musa, and their science teacher Helen Pirooz, so the School could develop a biology and chemistry program for O- and A-levels education in Iran through the U. Cambridge systems. I do not recall their second daughter Ayda (please forgive me for this). After reading Ali’s, Farhad’s, Shirin’s and Feruz’s emails this morning, my mind transited life’s many stations, and I wrote down my thoughts using Ali’s title. Ali plays a unique glial-cell-like nurturing role in our diasporic IBB organism, and I am truly grateful to him.
Sad News
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.
Stay well,
Love and best wishes,
Nozar
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
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
On behalf on the associates at Bergner’s in Champaign, our prayers and hearts are with and your family at the passing of your father. Noshin has been part of selling family and we extend our condolences to your family. I was so fortunate to have ben able to attend Saturday’s memorial service. Words and emotions only touch on the legacy your father left on everyone he encountered. I have only been the store manger at this Bergner location since late Ocober. In meeting my new team, Noshin extended her hand and a hug of welcome. We worked several times together until she took some time prior to the holidays to rest and recover her strength . I was introduced to your father during one of evenings he was picking Noshin up from work. A smile, a great handshake and a few kind words exchanged. I thought, what a sweet couple.
A few days before, Christmas I was working a late shift after many days in a row. A little tired, a little holiday frazzled. I got a call that a gentleman was waiting for me at the office. Not knowing what was our waiting customer’s needs, I came across the store. It was your father. He extended his hand, smiled and said do you remember me? I smiled back, Noshin’s husband. She said you would remember me. We talked about Noshin, the holidays, how was it to return back to Champaign after graduating so many years ago, if my family had joined me yet and numerous other words in a our visit. He wished me happy holiday, smiled and turned to leave. He stopped and said Nooshin is so glad you ‘re here.
Now looking back , I remember how calm and relaxed I was after those brief words and interaction. All the stress of the day just seemed become minor. During the memorial service, I recall many conversations of the impact your father had on people and how calming and compassionate he was. During our brief acquaintance, I was so fortunate to have had a small taste of the great man he was. Although he is not with us in body, his spirit and legacy remain vibrant.
Respectfully,
Michael Ujcich
Bergner’s at Marketplace Mall
Champaign, Illinois
Dear Mona Jan & Meisami Family,
It was an honor to have known Dr. Essie Meisami for over 20 years. He was a true testament of a caring mentor , passionate teacher, and most importantly a kind soul. His love of people extended beyond humans and was seen through many ways such as caring for animals, his amazing green thumb, and simplicity of life. His sweet inspiring stories with his warm smile and unique way of passing his knowledge will be left as his legacy. Antonio Porchia once said, “one lives in the hope of becoming a memory” and Dr. Meisami will be remembered by many for his gift of teaching and guiding young minds. You will be truly missed. Rest in peace my dear friend.
-Amir Mirarefi & Family
We felt the utmost heartbreak upon hearing of the passing of our dear friend Essie Meisami.
We have so many fond memories of the times we all spent together—beginning with the wonderful monthly gatherings we had together over 30 years ago when we were all living in the same neighborhood off the Arlington in the El Cerrito/Richmond area—and the two lovely white cats that Essie gave to us at that time. We remember how happy and jovial Essie always was at these gatherings and we have never forgotten his warmth and hospitality. We were first introduced to Dr. Meisami by our dear friend the late Dr. Ardy Davaran back in the early 80’s and from day one of that introduction Essie captured our hearts. What a loss! Dr. Meisami was a true scientist that believed in what he was doing with all of his heart. The numerous comments by his many students throughout all his years of devotion to teaching science is the testimony to this. We are sharing the grief and sorrow of his family and friends, and wishing them the strength to endure this difficult time.
Respectfully,
Farrokh & Linda Shehabi
For 30 years Essie and I were colleagues in the Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology at the University of Illinois, and retired at the same time in 2010. Others have spoken to Essie’s extremely warm and supportive interactions with both students and colleagues that were such a pleasure to experience in an often dynamic and demanding environment. I certainly concur. Essie was also an extremely knowledgeable physiologist. He took great interest in seminars of widely diverse physiological topics, and many times made important comments and/or asked thoughtful questions of speakers. My wife Julie and I send our condolences to the Meisami family on the death of this wonderful man.
I am one of Essie’s faculty colleagues and played a role in recruiting him to the University of Illinois, which was probably one of my most important contributions to the University–but of course the credit was all his, as I only came later to appreciate the full range of his qualities. Mentor, teacher, colleague, friend–Essie was rarely gifted in all these roles and, unusual for a Professor at a very competitive institution, his gifts came from his heart as much as from his head. Every time we met, he greeted me as though I was his very best friend. I am sure that many people felt as though they were Essie’s best friend. That seems like a logical paradox, but a heart as big as Essie’s trumped that kind of logic.
I’m so very sorry to hear this news. Dr. Meisami, as I’ll always know him, was such an inspiration and role model to me and so many of his students and friends. He truly believed that every one of us was, as he called everyone, “my friend” and he supported his friends in every way possible. He made us feel important and valued, and able to get through any difficulty. This was as true when I first needed a job and he hired me as a tutor and office worker, as when much later I accidentally killed his goldfish while I was watching the house and plants (!), and his support continued to the present day when I’m a faculty member in the midst of my own career. I’m not sure I can imagine anyone else ever filling those shoes, but I know that we will all remember him a long time, fondly and with love.
I remember looking forward to the first time meeting Essie many, years ago. Mona had been anticipating the arrival for his visit with such excitement! We had a great time together, and lots of laughter, ending the visit at a party thrown by Mona’s work, Indian Rock (Raj!). It was easy to recognize the love and affection that surrounded this family.
It has always been especially joyful for me to see him interact with his grandchildren over the last few years.
Essie’s presence will be greatly missed, but his spirit will linger on in the memories of friends and family, and in the lessons we learned from him.
we love you uncle Ali and aunt Ellen. You are family thank you
Dear Mona: This is the message that Ali sent to colleagues and friends today:
Dear friends,
It is with great sorrow and heartbreaking sadness that I bring you the sad news of the passing of my dearest friend and colleague, Dr. Esmail Meisami (Essie). Dr. Meisami died on January 21, 2013 due to heart failure.
Essie obtained his B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1967 and his Ph.D. from the same university in 1970. He then returned to Iran and joined the Biology Department of the Faculty of Science, University of Tehran. He was one of the principal faculty who established the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB). During his tenure at IBB, Dr. Meisami was the most productive faculty member, both in terms of peer reviewed scientific publications and the number of graduate students who obtained their M.S. degrees under his supervision and guidance. The establishment of the neurophysiology laboratory, the electrophysiology laboratory, and the facilities for keeping animals for neurobiology research at IBB are just examples of Essie’s hard work at the institute. More importantly, he assisted in the establishment of a library at IBB which was used by all IBB researchers and by researchers from other institutions. Dr. Meisami was one of the major organizers of the three international symposia held at the University of Tehran by IBB (one on the Structural Basis of Membrane Function (1975), another on Organization and Expression of Euchariotic Genome (1976), and the third in Developmental Neurobiology (1978).
Dr. Meisami returned to the United States in 1980, and after several years at the University of California, Berkeley he joined the faculty of the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. A popular professor at the University of Illinois, he served as associate professor of both Molecular and Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience.
Here is a sample of comments by his students: “Meisami is awesome! He is the sweetest and most hilarious man ever. He really cares about his students and wants them to perform well.”; “Very interesting class with a great lecturer.”; “He is probably the nicest and most understanding professor you will ever have at the University of Illinois…He genuinely wants his students to learn without stress…he wants students to enjoy going to class and learning…I would take any class that is taught by him.”; “How could you not love Dr. Meisami? He thinks every student is brilliant and does what he can to help them achieve their goals. He is always smiling and you can’t help but smile back. Great way to get students enthused about physiology.”; “Doc is one of the best professors I had at U of I. He is friendly and helpful, and he really does get to know his students. I graduated two years ago, but he still recognizes me and asks about how I am doing and even remembers exactly what I AM doing now! He’s wonderful, and physiology would have been awful if it wasn’t for him!”; “It’s a tough class, but I wouldn’t want any other professor teaching it. Meisami does an amazing job of teaching us about the human body.”
In addition to his numerous research papers, Dr. Meisami authored chapters on his research area in several books. He co-authored The Physiology Coloring Book, which has been translated in several languages.
Dr. Meisami is survived by his wife Nooshin, his first wife Julie, and his daughters Mona Reilly and Ayda Meisami.
The Meisamis have been an important part of our family. We just can’t believe that Essie is no longer with us. We miss him terribly.
With warmest affection,
Ali Estilai
I met you at Monas wedding and was impressed by your attitude and the love your family had for you..
Mona, I so very sorry for you loss, If I was there I would hug you.. but I can’t, so imagine a group hug..