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About Shar
Shar was born in 1969 in Morgantown West Virginia where his father, Shahrokh, and mother, Judy, met and married while attending college. Shar was delivered right after his dad’s last senior final in the university hospital. Two weeks later, after his dad graduated, the family headed south to Houma, Louisiana - where his father began working for Texaco as a petroleum engineer. His mom also finished her degree and became a teacher. Shar spent his formative years in "coon-ass" country until the age of six.

In 1975, the family moved to Iran, where his father is from. They settled in Ahvaz, in the desert oil fields near the Persian Gulf. Shar spent his elementary years at an international school there that was part of a larger expatriate community of American, British, and other foreign oil service families. In these years, Shar got to meet people from many cultures, but most importantly, he developed a greater appreciation and love for his Persian heritage and family. He enjoyed regular visits to his Dad’s hometown of Shiraz, spending time with his extended family – his Iranian grandmother, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Shar’s sister, Kimia, was born in Ahvaz. The family was very content to settle for the long-term in Iran. In addition to working in the oil industry, Shar’s dad had opened up an successful Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise, and his mom taught at the school he attended.

Unfortunately, by late 1978, the political and social climate in Iran was dramatically changing for the worse. Increasing demonstrations against the Shah’s repressive regime, strikes and street violence, and ultimately the killing of several American oil company employees led to the abrupt evacuation of all expatriate families from the oil fields. Shar, his mom, and his sister were part of the evacuation. They returned to the U.S., to his mom’s home state of Kentucky, and lived with his maternal grandmother for about seven months. His dad remained behind to continue working and maintain their home in Iran.

By early 1979, the Iranian revolution had successfully removed the Shah from power, and there was at least some semblance of democratic reforms. Believing that things had stabilized and that it was safe to return, the family came home to Ahvaz and resumed their lives. However, over the following year after the revolution, the situation intensified as the religious fundamentalists further consolidated their power, purging moderate reformists, and culminated in the hostage-taking at the American embassy. By summer 1980, the family decided to permanently leave Iran. It was a timely decision, since a few months later, Sadaam Hussein invaded the oil fields and began the eight year Iran-Iraq war.

Shar and his family relocated to Southern California where his dad resumed working for Texaco and his mom became a daycare director. They first lived in Thousand Oaks, a suburb north of Los Angeles. Following his parents’ divorce, Shar moved to the seaside town of Ventura with his mom and sister, where he attended high school. His dad took a transfer to London, England where Shar and his sister Kimia would visit during summer. After graduating from high school, Shar was accepted to UC Berkeley and he headed north to the San Francisco Bay Area.

For some additional information visit Shar’s personal website.

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