Dr. Caesar Farah

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Farah, Professor Dr. Caesar of Edina, passed away on November 26, 2009 at the age of 80. He was born in Portland, OR. Preceded in death by father, Sam; mother, Laurice; brother, Khalil; and sister, Madeleine. He is survived by his loving wife, Irmgard & their daughter, Elizabeth, as well as the children from his first marriage, Ronald (Leslie), Ramsey (Darcy), Christopher (Yvonne), Laurence (Janelle), Raymond (Mindy), and Alexandra (Mark); 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren, as well as his brother, Ronney (Suad); sister-in-law, Agia, and numerous other relatives and friends. Caesar had a distinguished career. He earned his B.A. from Stanford University (1952) and his M.A. (1955) and PhD (1957) from Princeton University. He started his career as a cultural affairs officer in New Delhi, India (1957-58) and continued in Karachi, Pakistan (1958). In 1959 he became the assistant to the chief of the Bureau of Cultural Affairs in Washington. From 1959 - 1963 he was assistant professor of history and Semitic languages at Portland State University. In 1963 he moved on to the California State University in Los Angeles (1963-1964) before becoming associate professor of Near Eastern studies in Bloomington, Indiana (1964-1969). He taught Middle Eastern and Islamic history at the University of Minnesota until his retirement in the spring of 2008. The recipient of many grants and rewards he published countless books and articles on Middle Eastern topics and was a man of great intellect and indeed a very busy individual. His career was punctuated with travel, expanding his personal interests in the great scope of the world. Caesar suffered quietly from a heart condition for a long time and endured weekly dialysis sessions for two years. He will be missed dearly as a loving family man and honored for being a unique person, with the highest intellect and many accomplishments. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Disabled American Veterans. Funeral Service 11 AM Friday, Dec. 4 at St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church, 35th and Irving Ave S., Mpls. Interment Lakewood Cemetery. Visitation 5-7 PM Thursday, with Trisagion Service at 6:30 PM at: Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel 952-920-3996 West 50th Street & Hwy. 100

Published on December 1, 2009