Behzad Mohit Obituary

Behzad Mohit
June 21, 1933 - November 2, 2023
Behzad Mohit, doctor, scientist, poet, philosopher, dancer to his own iconoclastic drummer, died at the age of 90, his unorthodox, utterly original life a testament to the vibrant power of curiosity.
Behzad was born to Sedi Shahroudi and Nasrollah Mohit (Maffi) in a home of modest means in the ancient city of Qazvin, Iran. He later spent most of his formative years in Tehran. Shunning high school which he deemed "utterly old fashioned" he preferred to study on his own, showing up only to pass final exams. Early in life he decided that the highest good was the pursuit of scientific knowledge. To follow his educational dreams he earned enough money playing poker to pay for his passage halfway around the world to Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau. An avowed atheist, the college professors' enthusiastic efforts to convert him to their religious beliefs combined with the racism he observed and endured there sent him seeking more hospitable climes. He graduated from Boston University, earned his M.D. from SUNY Downstate, then returned to Boston for his anatomic pathology residency at Mallory Institute of Pathology, a joint affiliation of Harvard,Tufts and B.U., as well as a biochemistry fellowship at Brandeis University.
Dr. Mohit's early career focused on fundamental science. At the National Institutes of Health, he completed his clinical pathology residency and began his research career focusing on microbiology and immunology which contributed to the development of monoclonal antibodies. He and his young family then headed to San Francisco where he continued his research activities and shifted gears, completing a dermatology residency at UCSF. He then later developed a practice in cosmetic surgery in the Bay Area, Palm Springs and Moline, Illinois.
When he retired from daily medical practice, he reignited his love of literature, poetry and music hosting countless Creative Incubator gatherings at his home where musicians, poets and dancers gathered to express their many talents.
Dr. Mohit wrote poetry, books, articles, and essays on a variety of topics including cell biology, biochemistry, healthcare economics, and evolution. In addition to poetry, Dr. Mohit wrote books, articles, and essays on a variety of topics including cell biology, biochemistry, healthcare economics, and evolution including his book The Chance of Life which explored theoretical realms, synthesizing the fields of thermodynamics, information and complexity theories to explain the emergence of increasingly complex adaptive systems in a physicochemical approach to evolution he termed "Thermoinfocomplexity".
His spirit of adventure took him around the world, but Marin County was his true home. No place was as beautiful to him as the view from his patio looking out over the Bay and onto Mount Tamalpais.
He was predeceased by his siblings, Bahram Mohit and Nassrin Iovino; and step-daughter, Leyla Moavenian and survived by his daughters, Maryam and Juliet Mohit (Ian Brown) of Marin County; his step-daughter, Rana Varasteh of Paris, France; his sister, Nastaran Shams of Palm Desert; and brother, Behrooz Mohit of Petaluma; ex-wives, Roberta Huberman and Sharzad Dowlatshai; grandchildren, Nico, Jasper and Milo Brown; Jake, Sedi and Ari Blachford; step-grandchildren, Saam Morshedian and Leili and Dara Varasteh; along with nine nieces and nephews in whom his spirit will live on.
In his early 60s, Dr. Mohit was diagnosed with prostate cancer which, through both aggressive surgeries and rigorous dietary modifications, he was able to stave off for almost 30 years. He died peacefully, in his sleep, in his beloved home, surrounded by love, with a gardenia by his side.
He always said that "love is the ether the universe swims in." Now Papa Behz, father, brother, uncle, mentor and friend is a part of that ether.
A private Celebration of Life will be held by the family in February. For inquiries and RSVP, please contact: [email protected].
In lieu of flowers, if you are so moved, donations can be sent in his honor to The Cancer Research Institute, https://cancerresearch.org.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Jan. 18 to Jan. 19, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Behzad Mohit

2 Entries

David Earl

June 19, 2025

One of the most interesting periods in my life was driving up to Marin and sitting at the piano while Behzad and an eclectic band of musicians whirled into life in the room below me. Through the magic of technology, we were all together, even though I was playing, seemingly alone, upstairs. Cello, Piano, Gravichord, Kora, female voice, bass guitar - all improvising together as one. We went to wonderful and sometimes weird places. It was a lot of fun and Behzad was a more than gracious host as well as a poetic traveler of the ether. We'd sit to an exquisite meal together and share stories and laughter. It was like a dream to me, for I was going through very hard times. Every time I went there it was through the looking glass. It was a beautiful moment. His parties were absolutely wild, with artists from around the world doing some of the most original work I have ever heard and seen performed. Thanks for giving me the golden ticket. You were really, truly unique

Ellen B Levin

January 24, 2024

He was incredibly dedicated to promoting the arts especailly musicians that he hosted at his beautiful home in Kentfield. Over the years I attended many of his parties with so much talent. He went so far as to remodel his home to better see and hear the musicians he showcased. Above all he was incredibly generous, always providing the cuisine of Iran. Thank you Behzad, you live alway in my heart.

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