Abbas Goudarzi

Abbas Goudarzi, 87, passed away peacefully at his home in Elkhart on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, with his loving family by his side. Born on April 24, 1938, in Tehran, Iran, Abbas was the son of the late Kobra Madini and Hassan Goudarzi. At just 17 years old, he made the brave move to the United States, where he began building a remarkable life. He graduated from Coffeyville Junior College in Kansas and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Wichita State University, followed by a master’s in mathematics. His knowledge of engineering led him to become a forward thinker in the plastics industry, and he was part-owner of Liberty Industries for 20 years. Upon retiring, Abbas opened the Persian Rug Gallery with his wife, Jenni. Together they shared his beautiful culture with so many people in the area.

Abbas had a lifelong passion for running. While at Coffeyville Junior College, he became a two-time national champion and All-American in cross country and track. His love for the sport took him to major races, including the Boston, Chicago, and Detroit marathons. Running wasn't just something Abbas did; it was something he shared. He passed his passion on to his family and friends. He loved helping everyone reach their running goals, made them training schedules, and was so proud of his unofficial title “Coach Gouda.” At one point, he was even sponsored by Nike and would log over 100 miles a week. Each Christmas, he made it a tradition to buy everyone a new pair of running shoes to encourage his family to run and lead an active and healthy lifestyle. It was through the Elkhart YMCA running club that Abbas met his wife, Jenni. They connected through their shared love of running, fell in love, and were married on September 9, 1994. Even as the years passed, Abbas’s enthusiasm for running never faded. He and Jenni started a tradition known as “Sunday Run Club,” where friends would join them for a long run and then gather at their home afterward for beer and bagels which Abbas affectionately called “Breakfast of Champions.”

When he wasn’t running, Abbas was in the kitchen cooking Persian food for his family and friends. Everyone wanted to eat dinner at the Goudarzis. He took great joy in entertaining- cooking, eating, drinking wine, listening to great music, and laughing around the dining room table. Music was another passion that brought Abbas happiness. He loved going to concerts with his family and throughout his life had the chance to see the artists he loved most like Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, and what became the final concert he attended with his family, Bob Dylan. At home, he enjoyed relaxing with his extensive record collection, filling the house with the music he loved. He also had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to make others laugh. As a single father of three daughters in the 1970s, he made sure his girls were loved, supported, and encouraged to grow into strong, independent, fun-loving women. He prioritized their college education and instilled in them the importance of learning and self-reliance, and helping others.

For Abbas (Bob), nothing mattered more than the people he loved. His family and friends were truly the heart of his life. He is survived by his wife, Jenni Goudarzi, and his daughters Jan (Brian) Cichello of Kansas City, Missouri, Monni (Joe Mascarello) McCleary of Weehawken, New Jersey, and Lisa Goudarzi of Elkhart, Indiana. Surviving as well are his grandchildren whom he loved and supported in all their activities, Grahm Cichello, Owen Cichello, and Jackson Sumrak. His grandsons adored their “Bobbie.” Abbas is also survived by his siblings Hossein (Carla) Goudarzi of Italy, and Touri (Manucher) Goudarzi of Iran, Bob (Marilyn) Alexander, father-in-Law, Tim (Sue), John (Shellee) and Scott Alexander, brother-in-laws all of Winamac, Indiana and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his siblings Shamzi, Ghotsi, and Reza Goudarzi, as well as Marilyn Alexander (mother-in-law) and Sue Alexander (sister-in-law).

Abbas’s huge, generous, open heart and open mind will live on in his family and every person who ever met him. Run a mile, have a beer or glass of wine, listen to some good music, laugh. Enjoy life.

A celebration of Abbas’s life will be held at a later time. Cruz Family Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Osceola has been entrusted with his care. In his memory, donations may be made to the Center for Hospice, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, Indiana, 46545, or by following this secure link: Center for Hospice online donations

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