Nader Vargha, 80, St. Joseph, Missouri, with his family at his bedside, passed peacefully after a battle with lymphoma, on December 26, 2022.
Nader Vargha had three main passions in his life: his family, his Faith, and his Sooners. He loved his dogs, too. Nader had a life that spanned 80 years and 3 continents.
He was born in Tehran, Iran on August 25, 1942, as the second child of his parents, Dr. Mehdi and Lamieh Vargha. He, his parents, and his sister Roushan lived in Tehran until he was about 12 years old, when they moved to Europe and ended up in Vienna, Austria. Nader lived there until 1969, when he moved to the United States settling in Norman, Oklahoma.
Nader met his wife Hoda during a trip back to Europe, and they married in 1977. They moved to Springfield, Missouri and had their first of three children, Neda, before relocating to St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1980, where Nader started his position as a Professor of Economics at Missouri Western State University. Sons, Amin and Jalal, were born soon after.
Nader taught at Missouri Western for 35 years and was very active with campus organizations including the student Greek association and the Economics club. Nader was an active member of the Baha'i faith and also a member of St. Joseph East Hills Sertoma. He enjoyed Saturdays in the fall watching Oklahoma Sooner football and taking his German Shepherd Rex on walks. He maintained residence in St. Joseph after his retirement and was promoted to Professor Emeritus at Missouri Western. He loved road trips, often traveling to visit family around the country.
He is survived by his wife Hoda; his sister, Roushan of Vienna, Austria; his daughter, Neda (Alexander Sanchez-Behar) and grandchildren, Sofia and Cyrus of Kingsville, TX; and his sons, Amin (Sarah Donaldson), of Kansas City, MO, and Jalal of Omaha, NE.
Farewell Services and Public Livestream 10:00 A.M. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends from 5:30 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory.
