Manouchehr Hezari

Manouchehr Hezari Beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, Manouchehr Hezari winged his flight to his eternal home on June 21, 2010. He was born in Qazvin, Iran on June 5, 1922 to Rachid and Laal Hezari. He grew up immersed in the Baha'i Faith, a religion that proclaims the unity of mankind, the elimination of all forms of prejudice and service to humanity. He graduated from the University of Tehran with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He was passionate about learning and technology. At the young age of 9, he wired his parents' house for electricity, having watched the town's only electrician wire some homes, and remained intellectually curious and sharp to the end of his life. In May 1950, he married the love of his life, Hovieh Siavochi and they had three daughters. In September 1953, he left his native land and headed to Tangier, Morocco in response to a call for Baha'is to settle in areas where the Baha'i Faith had not yet been established. The Baha'i Faith has no clergy or missionaries and it is through the settling of pioneers like himself that the Faith has spread to every continent, nation and remote location. In 1953, there were still countries where no Baha'is resided and those who arose to introduce the Faith at that time were designated as Knights of Baha'u'llah. Mr. Hezari worked at the Voice of America for 27 years and was recognized for his integrity and the quality of his work. In 1982, he immigrated to the United States with his wife and his two youngest daughters so they could pursue higher education. He worked at UT Austin as an engineer in the College of Communications. Throughout his life, Mr. Hezari was a trusted advisor and friend to many who were drawn to his gentle manner and kindness. He was a radiant lover of Baha'u'llah who exuded love, humility and joy wherever he went. He was enormously loved by his family and is survived by his wife of 60 years, Hovieh, his daughters Roya, Mehri and Emilia, their husbands, Florentino and Klaus-Peter and his beloved grandchildren, Victor and Lucas. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 26, 2010 at Cook-Walden Funeral Home in Austin. Burial will follow at Austin Memorial Park. Condolences may be sent to www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com.