 Amin-ol-Molk
Manoucher Marzban was able to voyage the world
in search of other cultures and sacrosanct beliefs
Mahmoud Ghaffari
January 12, 2005
iranian.com
It has been a poignant year for the devotees of Iran, as we have
lost another personality whom through his dedication to Iran
and his lineage "blue blood" contributed much to
the greatness of Iran prior to the revolution. Manoucher Marzban,
lost his apparition in slumber on December, 24 of 2004.
Marzban was
the son of Rasht, a community in Northern Iran, which contributed
to Nationalism by breeding sons, and daughters who were ardent
supporters of freedom and democracy. He was the first son of
Dr. Ismael Marzban, "Amin-ol-Molk".
Ismael, served
as the Minister (Secretary) of Health during
Prime Minister Ghavam's administration in 1942. He was
also an ardent supporter of Sufism and free thought as his
association with "Anjoman Okhovat", the precursor or post cursor
(depending on how you look at it) to Freemasonry in Iran
showed. He was a close associate of both Seyed Mohamad Entezam-o-Saltaneh
and Zahir-o-Doleh and was in line to lead the "Safi Ali
Shah" Dervish sect before they decided that after Entezam,
they would not elect a "morshed" or leader, rather
be governed by a body of elected elders.
His Excellency Dr. Manoucher
Marzban grew up in a loving and warm atmosphere and it radiated
through out his life as Guive
Mirfendereski
so eloquently inscribed in his piece about him [See: Amou
Manouchehr]. He
had a prosperous life into his nineties and used every minute of
it
to
enjoy
his journey and share that with those around him. He was somewhat
of a visionary as well. Although born into a Muslim surrounding
he
did not let that be the sole defining divine belief in his
life.
As the ambassador of the His Majesty's government he was
able to voyage the world in search of other cultures and
sacrosanct beliefs. Ambassador Marzban became First Secretary and
Charge
d'Affairs in Rome during the early 50's. His next appointments
were
as Chief Minister, Iranian Embassy in Japan, and Chief
Minister, Iranian Embassy in Switzerland.
 Ambassador Marzban's language
and diplomatic skills and his experience as a senior diplomat
saw him appointed as Iranian Ambassador to Thailand, Malaysia
and Laos
in from 1964-1968, at the height of the Vietnam War. From
1968-1970 he served as Chief Political Officer of the Iranian
Foreign Ministry. Ambassador Marzban's last appointment was in
1970
as Iranian
Ambassador to Sweden, Finland and Iceland.
He retired in
1976
after 38 years of diplomatic service. After the Iranian
Revolution of
1979, he moved to London, and to the United States in
1990. He moved to the United States in 1990 to be near his two
sons who
attended American University and lived in the area.
His travels as diplomat took Ambassador Marzban to many
destinations globally, and as a multi-linguist, he was
most in his element
when he could break from official duties to mingle with
locals and interact.
Ambassador Marzban met many VIPs during his career, and
argued that to understand a culture, "One has to shake
the hands
of Kings and Paupers".
Ambassador Marzban, a charismatic
individual, had friends in many international circles,
from industry and trade to public service and entertainment.
An
avid collector
of stamps, Persian coins and books on Iran in various
languages, he became a well recognized figure in Bethesda, Chevy
Chase
due to his daily two hour walks and his engaging personality.
 A compassionate
man and always impeccable, Ambassador Marzban was
at ease with dignitaries and world leaders as well as locals he
would meet
on his travels. During his appointments in New York
and Rome, he became
close friends with actors and actresses from the
Golden
Age of Hollywood. Further fuelling his life-long
passion for
literature, arts and entertainment. He was an enthusiastic
fan of classic
film and American Jazz.
His wife Parvaneh Jandieri
Marzban and two sons, Manoucher Jr. and Massoud, survive him.
About
Mahmoud Ghaffari is the aircraft broadband communication project
manager for Boeing and is an Adjunct professor of Network communication
and computer science and Devry and National Universities.
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