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
I am deeply saddened to hear that Dr. Meisami has passed away. He taught a large human physiology class for non-majors, and I was a teaching assistant for one of the laboratory sections. I remember him for the following qualities: warmth, kindness, compassion, decency, and commitment to his students. He was a deeply civilized man. To be in his presence was to be ever reminded of the finer qualities of being a human being. I mourn this loss and feel great sadness at his passing. I extend to his family my deepest sympathies. If it is any consolation to them, it is that he was a fine and decent human being and I am proud that he touched my life, even if only briefly.
I first met Dr. Meisami at the end of a wonderful lecture he gave in a medical physiology course at the University of Illinois. I was amazed at the ease with which he took complicated scientific concepts and made them not only comprehensible to the students but how he made us all share his passion for those ideas. I joined his laboratory as an undergraduate student and was similarly impressed by how he could infuse his students with his love of science. He was my doctoral advisor for which he guided me through my research thesis. He taught me how to think critically and creatively. He taught me not only about physiology and medicine but about life and gentle kindness. Most importantly he taught me how to educate. He allowed me to be his teaching assistant for close to a decade. Every accolade I have been given ever since in degrees,
awards, or praise I know in my heart is because of him. I think of the literally tens of thousands of students that had the privilege and honor to meet him or listen to one of his wonderful lectures in his decades of teaching and the powerful effect I am certain he had on all of them and it makes much of my personal sorrow for his passing dissipate. Every scientific presentation, medical lecture, publication, or even every discussion with my students is permeated with his presence. I know he has passed part of his wonderous Spirit to me as I hope I can do also in his Honor to my students and so on. In that way Dr. Meisami will always be immortal in our hearts. I was Truly graced to have him meet my children this last year. I was proud to tell them ” this is Daddy’s teacher”. He always laughed when I called him Dr. Meisami. He was never one for formality and said “Arash dear, we are friends. You can call me Essie.” But out of deepest respect I never did.
Dr. Meisami you were my best teacher, you were a wonderful scholar and a kind and gentle human being.
You were and always will be my friend.
Thank you Essie
Arash Farahvar
I was only 21 years old when I first met Dr. Meisami within the University of Tehran.
He had a welcoming and delightful demeanor which instantly attracted me towards him. Therefore, I was elated when I realized he was one of the prominent professors in the department of Physiological Science, which happened to be my major of interest.
It was from then that I had the honor of becoming his student. In addition to our actual studies I was able to discover and learn several life lessons from him. He was always full of life, gracious, patient and sympathetic, and these traits were passed on to all his students.
After I finished my studies and Dr. Meisami returned to America, we were luckily able to keep contact, but it was fully coincidental that we were reunited once more during one of my trips to America. Like always he was forthcoming, compassionate and energetic. It was then that I fully appreciated how important he had become to me and that I had come to depend on him as family, a strong rock to lean on, and an invaluable friend whom provided me guidance and support for over 36 years.
Moreover, just like he had shown me I understood that Dr. Meisami was loved and respected by all his students, and like me, all his students knew that he would support them in any manner shape or form no matter the situation.
It is astonishing how during our lives we are put into contact with countless individuals, however, only a handful of these individuals can leave a positive and constructive imprint on one’s life and Dr. Mesiami was one of those people.
Therefore, it is to my utmost regret that this wonderful and brilliant man is unfortunately no longer among us but his legacy, teachings, contagious smile and passion for life will live on forever within all of our hearts.
May his soul rest in peace and patience and strength be provided to all of his loved ones as I am confident there are many.
Elaheh Nooshinfar
Jan 25 2013
Dear Noushin, Julie, Mona and Ayda,
I am deeply sorry for your loss. Essie was such a kind soul. Even his voice emanated his kindness. He will be missed terribly, but he is always present through you, beautiful ladies.
Love,
Farah
Dr. Meisami’s “how are you, my dear” still rings in my ear. I spent many a days in his lab and office as a TA for him. He would remember the smallest details about us- our health, our thesis work, and ask to make sure we were doing OK. The kindness, love and warmth he spread in the department will truly be missed and will forever be remembered.
Lavanya
Santa Clara, CA
My dear friend Essie, how is it that I won’t again see your smile like the sun coming up? You are the soul of kindness, a notable scholar of great breadth, and an educator who set standards for the rest of us. Thank you so much for your wisdom, collegiality and fellowship all these years.
Your great fan,
Rhanor
Dear Meisami family,
I wanted to send my condolences and share that Dr. Meisami gave me my first summer job. I was an 8th grader, and he offered me have me work in the laboratory with his students and organize his citations/bibliography files. I remember that back then in the 1980s, these files were simple notecards in a long box. He showed me how he worked with the rats to make scientific advances. I remember him treating them very kindly. He was very kind and his students really appreciated him, as did I.
Fondly,
Debbie (Katzenellenbogen) Newhouse
Nooshin, Mona, Ayda my deepest condolences. I cannot begin to tell you the impact Essie had on my life. Being his first doctoral student we spent so much time together and through the ups and downs, he kept me pointed in the right direction. He always encouraged me to teach and as a result I have spent the past 20 years teaching physiology to undergraduates all the way to medical students. Two men have influenced my life; Essie and my father. Both educators and good men who always put others ahead of them. I am fortunate to still have my father in my life and am so sad that you’ve lost a great man. Essie always greeted me the same way “how are you my friend/” I am honored that he considered me his friend.