Obituary: Leonardo Paul Alishan

Leonardo Paul Alishan "Nardo" Accomplished former University of Utah professor and poet, Leonardo Paul Alishan, 53, passed away on January 9, 2005 as a result of a horrific house fire. Nardo was born on March 4, 1951 in Tehran, Iran to Armenian parents, Michael and Annette. He married Nelli Assadurain on July 19, 1974 but was later divorced in 1993. Three wonderful children was the result of their union, Michael, Ara, and Eileen. Nardo immigrated to the United States in 1973 and received his doctorate degree in 1978 in comparative literature from the University of Texas at Austin. He moved to Utah and joined the University of Utah's Middle Eastern Studies' department in the same year. Nardo enjoyed teaching and spending time with his students, which were his biggest source of inspiration. He left an everlasting impression on everyone who came in contact with him, and made their lives richer and more meaningful. His student's admired his knowledge, candidness, humbleness, and warm personality, and rewarded him twice with voting him the most distinguished professor at the University. He also received a faculty fellow award from the University of Utah for the 1994-1995 school year. Nardo was an accomplished researcher and poet, which received numerous awards for his literary body of work. His love for literature benefited Iranian, Armenian, and English literary communities in different capacities. He authored several articles and papers covering traditional and modern Iranian poets and writers, while becoming one of the top authorities in the world on "David of Sassoun", the Armenian national epic. He was especially proud of his two published poetry books "Dancing Barefoot on Broken Glass", and "Through a Dewdrop". Nardo's legacy lives in his oldest son Michael, which has inherited his wonderful personality, in Ara, whom has inherited his gentle soul and artistic inclinations, and in his youngest child, Eileen, his ultimate love, which completes the circle. His legacy will always be alive in every student and individual which came to know this wonderful mind and exceptional literary genius. He is survived by his children, Michael, Ara, Eileen; wife, Nelli; Nephew, Damion. Preceded in death by father, Michael; mother, Annette; brother, Sako. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 15, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 3015 E. Creek Road. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Asian Tsunami victims in care of Red Cross, P.O. Box 38436, SLC, UT 84110.