George Gowgani

1934 - 2022

George Gowgani
April 21, 1934 - December 13, 2022
San Luis Obispo, California - George Gowgani passed away on December 13th, 2022, surrounded by his family in San Luis Obispo, California.
Born in Tabriz, Iran, George was one of eight siblings. A born academic, George immigrated to the United States in 1958 in pursuit of knowledge. He would tell anyone who listened that he came with "$20 and a suitcase" when he got on a Greyhound bus in New York City and rode all the way to Sacramento. There, he enrolled in an English course and met the love of his life, Margarite, who would be his wife for 59 years.
From there, he began to work his way up through the American educational system, receiving his associate degree from Sacramento City College, a bachelor's and master's from Cal Poly, and a master's and PhD from University of Nevada, Reno.
George returned to the Central Coast and made his home in San Luis Obispo, becoming a professor of crop science at Cal Poly. During his three and a half decades at Cal Poly, he served as head of the crop science department, president of the faculty association, and associate dean of the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences. His focus, however, always remained on his students, whom he cherished. He mentored countless young academics, and it was not uncommon for them to join him and his family for dinner.
George was a champion of the causes he believed in and served in leadership positions for many boards and organizations. He was chair of the California Mid State Fair, a California State University trustee, and served on the California State Bar Board of Trustees, and the California Water Commission. He was a friend and supporter to many, and his political activity through the San Luis Obispo Republican Party connected him personally with many former US presidents and governors of California he helped to elect.
George is survived by his beloved wife Margarite and his daughters Royaa and Farah, along with his three grandchildren Doug, Carmen, and George. His funeral will be held at Old Mission church on December 27 at 10am. The family will host a memorial on February 18th at 11am at the Madonna Inn. If you plan on attending the memorial, please RSVP at gowganifamily.com.