The University of Haifa community mourns the loss of Dr. Younes Nazarian, a staunch supporter of Jewish causes and the State of Israel, and a dear friend of the University. Younes was an Iranian-Jewish community leader and self-made businessman who cared deeply about culture and education, and the welfare of the Jewish nation. He and his wife Soraya contributed generously to organizations in Israel, as well as to Jewish and non-Jewish causes in Southern California.

“Younes’s generosity touched every member of the University community – students, faculty, staff and guests alike – through hundreds of scholarships, the impressive library named for him and his wife (The Younes and Soraya Nazarian Library) and the works of art adorning the campus,” noted President Robin. “The Nazarians are an integral part of the University family and we are proud of our special friendship and joint efforts in promoting shared social values.” In recognition of his volunteer activities and philanthropic efforts, University of Haifa bestowed an Honorary Doctorate on Dr. Nazarian in 2007.

Younes Nazarian was born to David and Golbahar Nazarian in Tehran in 1931. As a boy, he worked in Tehran’s alleys and bazaars with his brother. Shortly after the establishment of the State of Israel, he immigrated to Israel with his mother and brother. He and his brother later returned to Iran to start a successful construction business. Following the turmoil of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, Nazarian and his family fled to Los Angeles. He purchased Stadco, an aerospace manufacturing company in Los Angeles, and co-founded the technology company Omninet, which joined forces with Qualcomm in 1988 to develop a satellite-messaging system for the long-haul trucking industry.

Through The Younes & Soraya Nazarian Family Foundation in the US and The Ima Foundation in Israel (named for his mother), Younes and Soraya supported numerous charitable organizations in the U.S. and Israel – with a special emphasis on education and the arts. Younes also served on various distinguished boards of directors and was a member of the University of Haifa’s Board of Governors.

Nazarian is survived by his wife Soraya Sarah Nazarian, their children Sam, David, Shulamit and Sharon Nazarian (a member of the University of Haifa’s Board of Governors and former Vice-Chair of the American Society of the University of Haifa), and 10 grandchildren.

May his memory be a blessing.

*Dr. Younes Nazarian (z”l) with Soraya at the 2007 Honorary Doctorate ceremony in Haifa.