Morteza Khatami

1919 - 2019

Morteza Khatami

Eatontown - December 5, 2019- Eight days shy of his 100th birthday, Dr. Morteza Khatami passed away peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his devoted wife of nearly sixty years, Alba E. Khatami, and his loving son, Christopher A. Khatami, Esq.

Dr. Khatami (or "Tommy" to those who knew him best) was born in Isfahan, Iran on December 13, 1919, six months after the Treaty of Versailles ended the First World War. The middle son of a landowner and brother of five siblings, Dr. Khatami grew up on a farm in rural Isfahan, Iran. Inspired by the loss of his mother at age 9, he pursued his passion for science and medicine, graduating with a science degree from the University of Tehran and a medical degree from the University of Tehran School of Medicine in 1945. From 1947 to 1951, Dr. Khatami worked as a physician for the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company before emigrating to the United States in 1951. Upon his arrival to the United States, Dr. Khatami completed his medical residency at Brockton Hospital in Massachusetts. He served as Chief Resident in Surgery at The Mount Vernon Hospital in New York. He obtained Board Certification in General and Thoracic-Cardiovascular surgery in New Jersey and New York and was a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the International College of Surgeons. Dr. Khatami practiced at multiple hospitals in New York and New Jersey, including New York Polyclinic Medical School and Hospital, Beth Israel Hospital, St. Michael's Center, and St. James Hospital. Dr. Khatami also served as Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army from 1978 to 1982 before retiring from medicine in 1982.

A resident of Eatontown for over forty years, he relished the haven of home that he built with his wife, Alba, to raise their son, Christopher. He loved nature, rose bushes, birds, and fancied himself a gardener. He was a student of Middle Eastern history and current political affairs. He loved filet mignon and cabernet and old American western television shows like Bonanza and Gunsmoke. He swam three times per week at the Atlantic Club in Red Bank until he was 95. He will be profoundly missed for his loving, dignified presence and the source of counsel, security, and a lifetime of wisdom he supportively provided to his wife and son. He will be missed at family dinners and in the springtime garden he loved so much. He will always be in our hearts.

Services were held privately.