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Zia-ur Rahman Obituary
He and Katherine, his wife, met while they were both students at Ripon College. Married for 22 years, he is survived by Katherine, his sons Haroun, Kamran and Noor, brothers Masud and Anis, parents Abdul Rahman and Arifa Siddiqi and numerous other family members.
He was the team manager for his sons' soccer teams for several years and a supportive parent for all of his sons' endeavors. An excellent cook, he taught his sons to be creative with food. He welcomed a host of foster cats into his home while they healed, and cheerfully facilitated Katherine's interests and activities.
He was content with simple pleasures with his family and friends.
A memorial service will be held at the Williamsburg Unitarian Universalist Church, 3051 Ironbound Road on Sunday, January 2nd at 2 p.m..
Online condolences may be offered at www.nelsencares.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Zia-ur Rahman
Mark Patterson
January 5, 2011
Dear Katherine, I am profoundly sorry and sad for your loss. Zia was such a help to me in my work.....he had a knack for explaining difficult concepts elegantly. His mind was brilliant; he was warm, funny, and caring. Every time we talked or got together to discuss engineering I came away enlightened, amused, and smiling. It was also obvious to me how much he loved his family. God bless and take care of you in this difficult time.
Steve Reichenbach
January 4, 2011
I am so sad to hear this news and my heart goes out to Katherine and their children. My son also died in a wintry automobile accident, so I know that the shock and sadness is so painful that a numbness of unreality is a first reaction. Fortunately, that pain will give way more and more to good memories of the wonderful gift of having him in our lives.
I met Zia and we began our friendship and collaboration in Fred Huck's lab at NASA Langley in 1989. We maintained that friendship and collaboration over what now is more than twenty years, especially through the annual SPIE Visual Information Processing Symposium began by Fred, then led by Steve Park (who also left us too soon), and then for the past ten years by Zia. In Orlando, Zia always found great restaurants and I was glad to join him. Last year, my wife also was able to be in Orlando and we had a memorably wonderful time with Zia.
Zia was a true and loyal friend and today I shed tears that he won't be with us. When we miss him this Spring at our annual SPIE meeting, we will share the good remembrances and honor our great friend and colleague.
Geralyn Nelson
January 2, 2011
Dear Katherine, I so hope that you and your sons gain strengh from all those who love you, and from the "new friends" who care about you. You will be in my prayers and thoughts throughout the year. Take care of yourself.
December 31, 2010
Please accept my condolences. May God grant you comfort (2nd Corint. 1:2 & 4). Your family and friends are in my prayers.
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Branson Matheson
December 29, 2010
Zia was a huge inspiration to me at LaRC. 22 years ago, he talked me into learning Unix and helped me get started. We talked frequently in the following years about my progress, and his kind words and firm guidance encouraged me to pursue my dreams. His support led me to a very successful career in the subject. I will always remember him as someone who changed my life. He will be missed.
Asim Zaki
December 27, 2010
I learned respect, love and caring foo the young from my brother Jolly Bhai (as we called him)
I don't think I can ever forget him.
Robert Wilson
December 23, 2010
December 23, 2010
I had known Zia in the workplace for most of two decades, during which I sometimes had the pleasure of close working relationships with him, mostly to my benefit from his advisory and teaching roles. His passing has been a profoundly sad time for me. I have always been highly impressed by his intellect and sound thinking and experienced a real sense of pride when he became a NASA employee this last summer. He was so immensely prepared to contribute to the agency’s programs, and the tragic event of his untimely death is a significant loss to these programs. His very personable working relationships with co-workers were a genuine asset to the work environment, as well. Outside the work environment, I also found him to be completely likeable, friendly, and warm, and I will miss him deeply. I know I cannot begin to imagine the impact and loss to Zia’s family, and my heartfelt condolences go out to Catherine, the boys, and the other relatives.
--R. Gale Wilson, Williamsburg, Va.
Marsha FitzGerald
December 22, 2010
Katherine, I heard from Andrea Cheek of this very sad news concerning your dear husband. Andrea sent me two newspaper articles and I was very appreciative to know. Our family has been gone from Williamsburg for over 5 years, but I still remember the sight of your husband walking the dogs. He was always friendly when I passed. (We lived up on Dartmoor Ct.) I petition God to strengthen you and your sons to endure this most difficult of times. May the peace of God guard your heart.
December 21, 2010
As a friend and research collaborator of Zia's, I simply want to say that he was an extraordinarily warm, kind, and deeply good person. He touched everyone with his gentle ways and genuine sensitivities to others feelings. As a researcher he consistently enriched us with his remarkable talents for creative thinking, innovation, and follow- through to achieve often dramatic demonstrations and discoveries. He was the very epitome of excellence in aiming high, and then hitting the mark spot-on.
Selena Chamblee
December 20, 2010
Kamran and Noor, I am very sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad. Your Berkeley family will keep you in our prayers.
Robert Neece
December 20, 2010
Zia was a major contributor to a small research group at NASA Langley Research Center. The collaboration extends back many years before my involvement. I learned of Zia through the accomplishments of his research group. In time, when I assumed a role as a project leader, I took on responsibility for helping to keep that group together, funded, and protected from programmatic ups and downs.
Our ultimate objective was to hire Zia into NASA, and we worked hard and long to do that. He was an important addition to our organization, and though we will try to fill that spot again, Zia cannot be replaced. He had a quiet confidence and was a stable platform in a rough sea. I and others had great hopes for him and high expectations for years of accomplishment. As is human nature, we took that for granted, and now, can hardly believe the loss is real.
While I do not know Zia's family, I can easily imagine the depth of their relationships, and my heart goes out to them.
December 20, 2010
Ms. Katherine & family. Although I just met Zia this past month I found him to be a gentleman and could tell he had a kind soul. May your memories give you all strength and comfort. My prayers are with you. Debbie Martinez, NASA LaRC
December 20, 2010
Words cannot express the tragedy of his passing. Our hearts go out to Katherine and the boys. He was a work and soccer colleague, but most of all a friend. The Henry family (Daina John Sean and Dylan)
Jane Walling
December 20, 2010
Our hearts are broken for you and the boys. It has been a privlige to know Zia. He was a kind and patient man My thoughts and prayers are with you.and your family
Glenn Woodell
December 19, 2010
My heart goes out to Katherine and the boys. Work will never be the same without Zia on the team. His passing will be etched in my memory forever. He will be dearly missed.
December 19, 2010
Dear Katherine
So sorry for your loss. Thinking of your and your family.
Chuck & Cookie Feiner
Ft. Myers Florida
December 19, 2010
Katherine,
You don't know me but we are related. Your father, Frend, and my dad, Willis, were first cousins. I spoke to your dad over the summer before going to Colorado for a visit. He told me your name and that your lived in Williamsburg. I recognized your name from your husband's obituary. I wanted to express my sympathy to you and your family in this difficult time.
I enjoyed my conversation with your father and know he will provide you with love and support in this difficult time.
Take care - Loretta Galland MacDonald and family is Poquoson, VA
December 19, 2010
Katherine,
You don't know me but we are related. Your father, Frend and my dad, Willis were 1st cousins. I spoke to your father over the summer before visiting Colorado over the summer. Your dad told me your name and that you lived in Williamsburg. I recognized your name from your husband's obituary in the paper. I wanted to express my sympathy to your family in this most difficult time. I enjoyed my conversation with you dad over the summer and know he will provide you with support and love.
Take care - Loretta Galland MacDonald and family in Poquoson, Virginia
Ram Narayanswamy
December 19, 2010
Dear Katherine
I have been thinking a lot of you, your boys, Susan, Mr. Miner and Zia's parents and praying that the family has the strength during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you and the family.
Friedrich Huck
December 19, 2010
Nothing in the world prepares us for the deep sadness we feel when someone close to us, who has so much to live for, suddenly passes away. I first met Zia right after he received a PhD in EE. He was then looking for congenial employment and I for a bright associate. Prior to our interview, two fellow graduates of his at UVA told me that he was the smartest guy in their class; and he, in turn, had heard from them about my research. In the shortest interview on record, at least to me, I told him that no one in my class could have given me that compliment, and that I would be delighted to work with him. About that I turned out to be absolutely right - not only because he was one of the brightest guys I ever met, but also because we had the same values. We often agreed, but when we did not, we respected our difference. Our association was research at its best, to give us confidence when we agreed, and to correct itself in friendly discussions when we did not. His integrity was absolute, and his luncheon conversation always stimulating and humorous. Antje joins me in my deepest condolences to Katherine, their three sons, and his parents and brothers.
The Tounzen Family
December 19, 2010
We are so saddened to hear the news of Zia's passing. Our sons were in cub scouts together and Zia was always there to participate and cheer the boys on. You are all in our prayers during this difficult time.
Maria Slavin
December 19, 2010
Dear Katherine, Haroun, Kamran, and Noor:
Our family is so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband/dad! We hope you know our thoughts and prayers go out to you today.
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