Hassan Rezaee

Mohammad Hassan Rezaee, M.D., peacefully passed away in his home on May 20, 2022, at the age of 87. He was surrounded by blue sunny skies, butterfly-filled rhododendrons, and the love of his family, including his wife of nearly 55 years Diana (Palai), daughter Roya Lissa Rezaee (Harold William Beseth, III, (“Bill”)), son Rod Peter Shabaz Rezaee (Sara Michelle Schiavoni), daughter Alana Ahi Rezaee, and his four grandchildren Sofia Erin Beseth, Hassan William Beseth (“Billy”), Grayson Peter Giovanni Rezaee, and Benjamin Michael Rezaee, who lovingly called him “Baba.”

How do you sum up in words the life of a great man who lived the American dream? You really can’t, but we’re going to try to do our best.

Hassan was born in Davan-Farse, a small mountain village in Iran, in 1935. He studied medicine at Shiraz Medical School and came to the United States in 1961 to pursue his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Wanting to further women’s health in Iran, Hassan hoped to learn more modern practices in this country to take back with him to Iran. But in 1965 he met Diana, a nurse, at NYU/Bellevue Hospital in New York City, and their love kept him in the United States where, as two peas in the same pod, they built a beautiful and vibrant life together.

Hassan was a devoted father and always tried to lead by example. As a thoughtful and compassionate man, education and giving back to one’s community were extremely important to him and resulted in his children’s pursuit of higher education and careers committed to service. Although he was somewhat serious, being a grandfather brought out Hassan’s lightheartedness, and he took immense joy in watching his grandchildren grow up. He had a kind soul, and his family always felt his love for them.

Hassan was a principled man with an extraordinary work ethic. Over the course of a nearly 60 year-long medical career, he earnestly contributed to the entire field of women’s healthcare. He practiced primarily in Lake County as the sole OB/GYN at Erieside Medical Group and operated and delivered babies at Lake West and East hospitals. He delivered nearly 7,000 babies throughout his medical career and helped countless women and their families along the way. He saw being a physician as the ultimate privilege and behaved as if it was a sacred calling. His family often encountered patients out in the community who couldn’t help but share stories of how Hassan had changed their lives in some way. Every day his work brought him great satisfaction and was so integral to the fabric of his identity.

His dedication to his work was only exceeded by his generosity and dedication to his family and friends. A man with few hobbies, he and Diana loved to travel, antique, and work in their yard together. They were known as gracious hosts and loved welcoming people into their home. Hassan spent countless hours on his tractor, blowing leaves, splitting wood, and tending to his fig trees and vegetable garden. He loved all foods, especially anything spicy, but his favorite was the Persian food Diana learned to cook. On special occasions, he liked to enjoy a Manhattan or Maker’s Mark on-the-rocks. He was a lover of all card games, especially poker. For almost five decades, he played regularly with his long-time friend group of other Persian physicians who also settled in the Cleveland area.

He was a man of great integrity and strength, and he always placed the needs of others before his own. He was known to be wise, honest, and trustworthy. Although the delivery was not always perfect, he had the ability to tell you what you needed to hear even if you didn’t realize it at the time. Hassan was always willing to help a friend in need, he treated everyone equally, and he placed great value in a hard day’s work no matter the job. While he still has many loved ones in Iran, Canada, and Europe, Hassan was the patriarch of his extended family and enjoyed helping the multiple members who followed in his footsteps by coming to the United States.

Hassan’s heart-of-gold held on until he was ready to say goodbye to his adoring family. He is now at peace and reunited with his parents, Shabaz and Ahi (Arshadi) Rezaee, siblings, and many other family members and friends. The family extends its deepest gratitude to all of his in-home caregivers of the last eight months, particularly Dawn (who by chance was a former patient and whose three babies he delivered), Lauren, Leslie, Lori, and Shawna, who spent many hours helping Diana and their children lovingly care for Hassan. The family also extends a profound thank you to Hassan’s dedicated team from the Hospice of the Western Reserve, who helped ensure his comfort.

Hassan was a proud man with a twinkle in his eye and a smile that lit up the room. He was gentle, humble, and above all decent. Hassan was truly one-of-a-kind, he made the world a better place, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

A private burial was held and a celebration of Hassan’s life is planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family graciously asks that donations be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve (https://p2p.onecause.com/hwr/donate), InMotion (https://beinmotion.org), or Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio (https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-greater-ohio).