With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Aziz Shiralipour on Saturday, November 26, 2022. On this earth for 87 years, Aziz led a long and interesting life, which many encouraged him to write about in a novel. His endless stories, innate charm and delicious Persian cooking convinced his wife Holly to marry him on November 29, 2003, after first meeting in 1991 at a national composting conference. Aziz and Holly were married for almost 19 years (3 days shy). For the last several years, Holly served as his primary caregiver while he battled dementia, leukemia, and other common old age ailments.

Aziz was born on May 5, 1935 to his mother Fahima and father Shokrollah in the city of Ahvaz, Iran. After graduating from Shahpouri high school in Ahvaz, he went on to study agriculture at Jundishapur University in 1958. While at the university, Aziz won three gold medals in national swimming and water polo championships (1956-57). He then attended the University of Florida (UF) on a full Queen’s Scholarship (of Iran), receiving both BSA and MS degrees in Soil Science, and a PhD in Plant Physiology in 1966. Following his graduation, he spent two years as a post-doctoral research associate at UF. Aziz then moved back to Iran, joining the Department of Biology at Pahlavi University, Shiraz, from 1966-1979. He began as an assistant professor and soon became a full Professor. He taught courses in General Biology, Botany, Plant Physiology and Advanced Plant Physiology. From 1972 until 1979, Aziz served as Dean of Students and eventually as Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at Pahlavi University, where he also served as Acting Chancellor on several occasions. 

A day before the Iranian revolution in 1979, Aziz moved back to the US and took various academic and research positions at UF, eventually becoming Associate Director of Biomass Programs/Scientist. He retired from that position in 2005. In addition, he served as Director of Compost Research at the Community Environment Council, Santa Barbara, CA, where he conducted research to enhance markets for various compost types.

Throughout his career, Aziz was dedicated to the safe use of composts, biomass, and soil health. He authored, co-authored or was reviewer of 26 books or chapters and over 80 scientific articles with more than 690 citations. He wrote a textbook for high school biology teachers in Iran, entitled Plant Intermediary Metabolism (in Persian), and co-authored another book on Uses and Benefits of Municipal Solid Waste Compost. In recognition of his scientific and technical contributions, Aziz received the US Composting Council’s Rufus Chaney Award in 2005 and Hi Kellogg Award in 2000.  In 2001, he was bestowed Honorary Professorship from the Bangalore University, India.

In addition to his wife, Holly, Aziz is survived by his son, Cyrus Shiralipour, and daughter Farnaz Shiralipour. His oldest daughter, Laleh, predeceased Aziz. Aziz is also survived by his stepchildren Andrew Johnson and Kirsten Johnson. Other survivors include his brother Ali (Mahvash) Shiralipour, sister Zahra Shiralipour (Hassan Habil) and many dear nephews, nieces, and cousins around the world. Additional special people in Aziz’s life included Bozena Shiralipour and Lucy Vigil.

Aziz Shiralipour’s memorial service will be conducted through ZOOM on January 7, 2023 at 9:00 am Pacific Time, 12 pm Eastern Time, and 8:30 pm Tehran, Iran time. If interested in attending the service, please send your email address to hjhj.shirali@gmail.com for more information and ZOOM meeting coordinates. 

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