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
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