Obituary of Masood Arjmand

Masood Michael Arjmand passed away in Bonita Springs, Florida on Thursday December 12, 2013. He was 66 Years old. Born in Shiraz, Iran on July 6, 1947, he grew up with seven siblings. After obtaining his Bachelors of Science Degree in Iran he traveled to the United States on a scholarship and earned a PhD in Pesticide Chemistry at The Pennsylvania State University. He returned to Iran, married Mitra Zolghadr and became the chairman of the Department of Biology in Shiraz. After the revolution in Iran Arjmand escaped to Germany and held a teaching position at the University of Freiberg. Arjmand and his family moved to State College, Pennsylvania in 1985. He founded Centre Analytical Laboratories in 1986. Centre Analytical blossomed into the region's leading chemical testing facility. His work ethic inspired the success of the company, his sense of humor made him approachable and his respect for others earned him a loyal staff. By the late 90's Arjmand delegated his responsibilities to his staff and focused more on charitable work. He became a member of the Mount Nittany Society. In 1997, he created the Ralph O. Mumma Professorship at Penn State to honor his friend and mentor. That same year, Arjmand received the Outstanding Alumni Award, the highest honor from Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences where he also served as the volunteer chairman of the Grand Destiny Fund. In 2000, the Penn State Alumni Association presented him with the prestigious Alumni Fellow Award, given to leaders in their field. As an avid hunter, fisher, reader and poet, his enthusiasm and generosity surpassed academic circles. He helped local farmers and donated money to surrounding churches. In 2004, he founded the Desert Rug Company in State College, employing three Iranian villages to create hand-woven Persian rugs and ship them to the U.S. For the rest of his life, he gave back generously to the country that offered him the freedom to succeed. He spoke firmly and confidently about the greatness of America, and his spirit was infectious. "If I can inspire people to do something good" he once said, "I feel it is my duty to do that." At his passing, he left the world better than he found it, and he left the lives he touched with an unspoken challenge to do the same. Masood Arjmand is survived by his family: Mitra Zolghadr, his son James Arjmand, his daughter Michelle Pasquinelli and her husband David Pasquinelli, grandson Brent Pasquinelli and brother Reza Arjmand. A visitation will be held at the Koch Funeral Home on Saturday, December 21 from 2-4pm. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.