Memorial services for Babak Pakravan, 32, Lawrence, will be 10 am, Saturday, December 30, 2023, at Southside Church of Christ, 1105 W 25th St, Lawrence, KS 66046.
Babak Pakravan, age 32, died in his home on December 20, 2023, in the presence of his loving mother, Mitra Pakravan.
In a short life complicated by illnesses stemming from his premature birth, Babak accomplished much, adapting and over coming sickness to become a model son who gave himself lovingly and unselfishly to all who met and knew him. His parents, Bahman and Mitra, met at the University of Kansas as students after immigrating from Iran in the late1980s. They soon fell in love and, bolstered by deep friendships between their mothers in Iran, married in Lawrence, Kansas on January 8, 1987. On July 17, 1991, they were blessed with the birth of their only child, Babak. Born prematurely, he spent the first six months of his life on oxygen in the KU Medical Center NICU. From preschool-onward, Babak required intensive, ongoing medical attention, daily parental care and spent much of his time going in and out of doctor’s offices and hospitals. However, he never let illnesses stop him; instead, Babak remained unperturbed and grew resilient, developing amazing abilities to communicate with others as he shared his curiosity, intelligence and humor with children and adults alike. Patterning himself after his father, Babak gained expertise in computers, software and business. Patterning himself after his mother, a specialist in child development, he embraced and was loved by children who looked up to him for his experience and compassion.
Patterning himself after both his parents, who had traveled extensively throughout their lives, Babak inherited the travel gene, visiting Iran for the first of four times at the tender age of three, and later enjoyed trips to California and Florida and had been planning future travels. Over time, he matured and grew into a sophisticated man who read extensively, and who enjoyed collecting rare antique writing pens as much as eating a good meal. Babak studied communications at Washburn University, completing a degree in the field in 2019. He worked at Maximus as a customer service representative for two years before his death, and was highly esteemed by clients and colleagues alike. Everyone loved Babak’s caring and compassionate heart as he patiently guided impoverished clients around health insurance hurdles to get them the vital care they needed.
Babak was preceded in death in 2017 by his father, Bahman Pakravan, and is survived by his mother, Mitra. He is dearly loved and cherished by her and many extended family members in Iran. Austria and in other parts of the globe.
Memorial contributions may be made to the KU Medical Center NICU, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, Kansas 66044.
I had the opportunity to know Babak in our years together at Schwegler Elementary and had many classes with him. He always did a great job sharing a positive attitude with those around him. I will always admire his perseverance to live his best life. I am saddened to hear of his passing, and send my condolences to his family.
Mitra- I am so sorry to hear of your son’s passing. I can only imagine how your heart is breaking. When you spoke of Babak I always knew you were very proud of him and he brought you joy as a mother. I’m thinking of you during these very difficult days and times ahead. My deepest condolences.
Charlotte
I wished I had gotten to know Babak a little more, as I always felt there was a depth to him that was kept sacred. From first helping him in class on the first days of work to spending last summer amongst a group of coworkers sharing in our experiences, Babak always listened intently and didn’t revel much, except in small bits that always left you knowing there was something more to this man. As I was fortunate to have him on my team in the end, he always had a soft and somber voice,even when dealing with difficult people and in hard situations. He would reach out and I would help him, but it was always his calm demeanor that always stuck out in easing the difficulty of his job. We shared loving California and some day going back. He was just starting to show the wells of depth when I knew him. I am grateful I got the chance to…SKOL Babak! …You were one of a kind!
Nanak was one of the most empathetic and committed workers under me. While soft spoken and quiet at times, he had a passion to help others, whether we’re on the phone or on the team. It was amazing to watch him learn and grow as a worker and a person. His passing is a great loss to us all and I am a greater person for knowing him.
Babak was an impressive young man. He was sweet, compassionate, and cared deeply for others. Shapour and I will miss him dearly. Our sincere condolences to dear MITRA and his family.
Babak was such a light to our team. Babak was so sweet and kind. He had such a big heart and that heart will live on among us. He will be missed by our team at Maximus. Rest easy sweet Babak.