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Siamack Bondari Obituary
June 16, 1962-June 12, 2023
Siamack passed away on Monday, June 12, 2023, at 60. He was born to Rostam Bondari and Katayoon Behdinian Bondari. He was a math professor for 34 years total (at Saint Leo for 24 yrs.) and chairperson for the Math and Science department for 13 years. Siamack will be remembered for his fierce integrity, unbiased leadership, and unsurpassed dedication to his colleagues and staff at St. Leo University. He was a child prodigy chess player at the early age of 5 at which time he had won a game of chess while playing a chess Grandmaster, which led to notoriety amongst the chess circles. As an adult, he was rated a Senior Master by the United States Chess Federation. He has written and published several math textbooks and supplements used by colleges and universities throughout the US. "Mack" or "Dr. B" as many people would call him was a humble person who never boasted about his accomplishments; he preferred to be unassuming and modest in nature. He was a man of honor, a family man, who unconditionally loved his family. He taught at Iowa State University, the University of Wisconsin at Lacrosse, Saginaw Valley State University in Michigan, and lastly Saint Leo University. Siamack was preceded in death by his father Rostam. He is survived by his wife Sabrena, children Sevana, Madison, Kara, and Caspian. Also survived by his mother Katayoon, brother Cyrus and sister-in-law Gail, nieces Denilae (Mike) Strok, Alesha (Steve) Chuddy, and nephew Andrew. Due to Siamack's unfortunate passing, Siamack can no longer provide for his children's future education so Sabrena respectfully requests donations to the children's education fund instead of flowers. He always wanted to ensure that Sevana, Madison, Kara, and Caspian would have access to a college education. Donations are to be sent in the care of Sabrena Bondari 36510 Saint Joe Road, Dade City, FL 33525.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Paul Hertzel
August 3, 2025
It is with deepest regret that I learn of the passing of Siamack Bondari. He was one of the kindest, most gentle souls my wife and I have ever known. We met in graduate school at Iowa State University, where I learned firsthand of his penetrating mind's amazing chess abilities - he became the state's chess champion - but also of his compassion and tenderness when observing him interact with our 3 year-old child. It was Siamack who sat with and reassured that child the night our second child was born. In the photo of Siamack's chess simultaneous exhibition, you can see our daughter at the far end of the first row. He let her sit in on the event. We will never forget the kindness and friendship Siamack extended us in those brief early years of our lives.
F. EssixJames
November 30, 2024
My deepest condolences. Dr. Bondari was a supportive presence for my family during a very challenging time. He offered academic guidance, provided spiritual comfort, and shared life stories that helped us cope. We are eternally grateful.
Afshin Teimouri
January 10, 2024
Who can forget Siamack Bondari?..... Captain of team "tashtakia" (cap) in Dr. Hashtroodi high school and of course the youngest and greatest chessmaster in Iran. We were classmates and he was the most intelligent teenage who I have ever met. Everyone here wants to remember him as a kind and gentel person and that's exactly how I remember Siamack. RIP dear Siamack
Babak Assai Ardekani
August 31, 2023
I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the family of Dr. Siamack Bondari. Siamack and I were classmates in Dr. Hashtroodi High School in Tehran from 1974-1979. I remember playing chess with him in our school yard. We were in 11th grade when the revolution in Iran happened and we both came out of Iran soon afterwards, and eventually ended up in the US, Siamack in Iowa and I in Texas. All through our middle school and three years of (uncompleted) high school, Siamack was the undisputed top student in our class. He combined brilliance with hard work, a potent combination that ensured no one in our class came close to him in academic achievement. I used to say that competition in our class was for 2nd place. No one doubted who would be 1st. Academics aside, Siamack was the kindest and gentlest of all my classmates. Truly a gentleman even as a teenager. He was a hero to me. Besides being classmates, Siamack and I both had our roots in the Ardekan region of Iran, an Oasis town on the edge of a vast desert. Our fathers had both emigrated to Tehran from that region and my father knew his father from back there. Rest in peace my friend! You will live forever in our hearts!
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Family
June 27, 2023
Michael Angelo
June 26, 2023
Siamack was a friend and chess colleague during the early 1980s. His brother Cyrus related the story of Siamack's historical journey from Iran to Turkey in order to escape the Khomeini regime. We waited for his safe arrival knowing if he was half the chess player Cyrus was, we would have a fine addition to our chess team. He was always smiling and adding enjoyable humor while on the long rides to tournaments in Iowa. The photo here was taken at my parents' house in Grandville 1980. Notice the chess board set up ready for our blitz matches. I lost touch with Siamack off and on over the decades and was heartbroken to hear of his passing.
Family
June 26, 2023
Family
June 26, 2023
Family
June 26, 2023
Family
June 24, 2023
Family
June 24, 2023
Dave Schmidt
June 22, 2023
Siamack was such a happy, positive person. I met him through chess, and we became friends. He helped me with academics and life. He was a truly good-hearted human being.
Ramin Elahi
June 21, 2023
Siamack & I started our EE curriculum together in the Fall of '83 @ Iowa State. We spent long hours together at lunch, library, or strolling within campus. We eventually found out that we had been living in the same neighborhood back home. Can't agree more with the descriptions that his great friends & colleagues have given here. Adding to those, he was very funny in his own way. Particularly, when he spoke of his earlier days in Vienna, Austria while waiting for his US visa. So eloquently, he spoke of those rough days in the most funniest manner! RIP our dear friend & Chess Master. "Only the Good Die Young...."
Maureen with Drake Human Resources
June 21, 2023
Dr. Bondari was a visiting professor of mathematics at Drake University (Des Moines, Iowa) from 1993-1994. Several of our faculty still recall him with great fondness. One shared, "we would have offered him a tenure track job if we had one to offer." While his time here was short, he made a lasting and positive impression. We offer our deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Terry Danner
June 20, 2023
Gentle, wise. funny and a wonderful friend. Taken from us far too soon! What else is there to say?
Armando Grundy-Gomes
June 19, 2023
Siamack (Dr. Bondari), or as many of us as students knew him as Dr. B, was a kind and gentle spirit. He was always kind, and you knew when you saw him he would always smile and greet you. He will be truly missed as part of the Saint Leo University family from students, faculty and staff alike. This is a tough one. Rest in Power Siamack!
Jerome Williams
June 17, 2023
Siamack was a great friend whom I had the privilege of working with for over twenty years. He was a person who showed great kindness to others and advocated for the students he taught. My heartfelt sympathies go out to his family. He will be missed but never forgotten. RIP, my friend.
Shawn Weatherford
June 16, 2023
Mack was a wonderful mentor and boss and supported my career at every turn. I´ll never forget our frequent chats and the joy he brought to work. His laughter will never be forgotten. My sympathies extend to Sabrina and their children.
Liz (admissions)
June 16, 2023
You and your family are awesome. It was an honor to have known you Dr B
Irvin Roy Hentzel
June 16, 2023
As a student, Siamack was truly exceptional. He continued to do
great work. I am blessed to have known him.
Phil Hatlem
June 15, 2023
Siamack was my first-year faculty mentor when I arrived at Saint Leo 16 years ago. A valued colleague and a kind friend. Will be greatly missed.
William Ellis
June 15, 2023
Siamack was a wonderful friend. I worked with him for almost 15 years and am going to miss him greatly. His capacity for kindness was extraordinary; it's something that I will forever try to emulate. Thank you, Mack.
Cathleen Dunn
June 15, 2023
Siamack was my first friend when I came to Saint Leo. I really enjoyed his humor, kindness and good nature. He always made me laugh at a time when I was in deep grief. He will be missed. My heart goes out to his family.
Jackie Robbins
June 15, 2023
Mack was a kind and gentle leader for the dapartent at Saint Leo, he would sit in my office and talk when he needed a break. He adored his family, and will forever remain in our hearts.
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