Our two years at AUS were full of laughs and joyful camaraderie. Though brilliant, he was also down to earth – never taking himself too seriously. I have never had so much fun at the workplace. Reza was a prankster who had nicknames for all his coworkers, including me. He once replaced my office nameplate with that of the men’s restroom. I knew exactly who had done it, but no one else suspected the distinguished visiting professor from Oxford University. Yes, Reza knew how to have fun, but he was serious about his work and serious about his students. Students loved his classes. At his AUS farewell dinner, one student commented that Dr. Sheikholeslami was the only professor he had known who in lecturing on important historical events would list the exact time down to the last second. What I will remember most is how much he cared for his family and friends. Once he let you in, he laid everything bare and his friends became your friends. I have not met many of the people writing tributes, but I feel as though I know all of you. You were the people Reza cared about and he talked about you often with warmth and love. I met Reza when I was fresh out of graduate school, he was, at the beginning, the mentor I wish I had had when I was in graduate school. At the end of the two years, he had become my best friend. I miss him dearly. Neema