Saeed Keyvanshad

Our beloved Saeed “Sam” Keyvanshad, 93, passed away peacefully on December 7, 2024. Husband of Minoo for 58 wonderful years; loving father of Sepideh, Afshin “Sean” (Sepideh) Keyvan, and Katie (Jordan Grumet); cherished “Baba” of Andre and Jac Nadeau, Cameron and Leila Grumet, and Mia and Sophia Keyvan; loved brother of Mahin, Manouchehr, Shahin and the late Iraj; and dear uncle to many. Saeed lived an amazing and eventful life, which was not always easy. He was born in Iran and had dreams of becoming a doctor. After attending medical school for several years, family circumstances forced him to abandon this dream and leave medical school to work as a civil engineer for an American company helping build the Karaj dam in Iran. That was the origin of his often told story of when a tunnel being built through the Alborz Mountain collapsed on him and shattered his leg. He carried that scar throughout his life. He then studied accounting and had risen to the position of senior executive at a large manufacturing conglomerate, when the 1979 Iranian revolution began, and he was taken away to prison as the revolutionaries took over the company. So he reluctantly left his cherished homeland in October of 1979, leaving everything behind, except for the three large brown suitcases the family packed their belongings into, in order to pursue a better life for his family. Once in the US, Saeed began his new life undeterred, working tirelessly, as an accountant, businessman owning retail shoe businesses and then owning and managing real estate. Saeed was as tough and as industrious as they get. There wasn’t anything (except for plumbing) he couldn’t do. He renovated the family house many times by himself, and built a deck in the backyard when already in his 70s, with the help of Minoo. Saeed was incredibly curious, something he instilled in his children and grandchildren. He was an avid reader and loved to learn about everything, from science, to politics, music, religion and the arts. And Saeed was mischievous and loved to joke – the stories he would tell of the pranks he used to play on the neighbors and the street vendors in Iran. But most important of all, growing up as part of a generation that did not always encourage or appreciate sensitivity, Saeed was incredibly kind with a huge heart. Saeed will be so missed, by so many. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation in Saeed’s honor to a charity of your choice. Interment Shalom Memorial Park. Chapel service, Tuesday, December 10, 2024; 10 AM at Shalom Memorial Funeral Home 1700 W. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. For the link to view the service, shiva information and to leave condolences: www.shalommemorial.org or (847) 255-3520.

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Service Information

Service : Tuesday, December 10th at 10:00 am
Service Location: Shalom Chapel Service -Shalom Memorial Funeral Home

Interment:
Shalom Memorial Park
1700 W. Rand Road
Arlington Heights