CHARLESTON, IL – Alan Baharlou died on August 21, 2017 at his cabin in Estes Park, Colorado amongst the mountains he loved. He was born on March 24, 1936 in Tehran, Iran to Yadolah Baharlou, and Habibeh Khorrami and had one younger brother Hassan, and two younger sisters Parvaneh and Parvene.
Alan earned a Baccalaureate from the University of Tehran in 1958 where he finished first in his class and was valedictorian of his college. This provided him with the opportunity to study anywhere in the world and he chose the United States of America, as this was his dream to come to the land of freedom. He selected the top geological program in the United States, which was at the University of Oklahoma, where in 1962 he earned a Master’s degree in Geophysics. He earned a Ph.D. in Geochemistry from the University of Tulsa in 1973. Alan married the love of his life, Carlene (Remund) Baharlou in 1963, celebrating 54 years of marriage this year. “It was love at first sight,” he always said.
After completing his PhD, Alan and Carlene settled in Enid, Oklahoma where he was Chair of the Geology Department at Phillips University for 13 years including Dean of Sciences for the last 3 years. Loving daughters Roxanne and Carlotta were born in 1966 and 1969 respectively. In 1980, the Baharlou family moved to Charleston, Illinois where Alan accepted a position as chairperson of the Geology/Geography Department at Eastern Illinois University. After 25 years at EIU, Alan “officially” retired in 2005, but continued to serve EIU and the Charleston community in a myriad of ways. He will be remembered fondly for the love of his family, his adopted country, and his Phillips University and EIU families.
Alan is survived by the family he adored including wife Carlene of Charleston; two daughters, Roxanne Cornebise (Michael) and Carlotta Baharlou, both of Charleston; and four grandchildren, Madeline Baharlou-Quivey, Sam and Sofia Cornebise and Charlie Gaines. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Alan’s life will be honored in three separate events, the first being a Visitation to be held from 5:00- 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 9, 2017 in the Dvorak Concert Hall at the Doudna Fine Arts Center located at 1860 Seventh Street on the EIU Campus. A Memorial Service will begin at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 10, 2017, also to be held in the Dvorak Concert Hall of the Doudna Fine Arts Center. EIU will provide free valet parking at Doudna Circle for those needing assistance to both events. Thirdly, those who wish to continue in a celebration of Alan’s life may gather at the home of Michael and Roxanne Cornebise following the Memorial Service. This celebration will begin at approximately 2:30 p.m. and will be an informal, joyful outdoor event with food, drinks, music and fun. Bring you favorite stories of Alan to share. Alan’s family encourages those attending any of these celebrations to wear blue in honor of Alan’s passion for EIU.
The family requests that gifts be made to the Eastern Illinois University Foundation in memory of Dr. Alan Baharlou. Donations may be left on the memorial table at the Visitation or Service, or may be mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920.
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