Pat and Farshid Shahrokhi (Sha-Row-Key)

Farshid (Far-SHEED) Shahrokhi, born in Tehran, Iran, traveled from there to London and then to the United States to further his education.  He joined his older brothers in Tennessee and over the course of 12 years earned three degrees from the University of Tennessee, ending with a PhD in Nuclear Engineering. He became an American citizen and worked for eight years at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

In 1980, he was employed by B&W, now Framatome, in Lynchburg, Virginia.  Today, still employed by Framatome, Farshid says the enjoyment of working on new and future projects keeps him looking forward to going to work every day.  He is also involved in many professional organizations.

A native of Lynchburg, Pat Shahrokhi enjoyed living in Sparta, New Jersey, and High Point, North Carolina, before returning to Lynchburg in 1986.  She is very familiar with Westminster Canterbury as her mother, Emma Belle Sweeney, was proud of being among the first group of residents and both her sister, Mary Ellett, and brother, Bill Sweeney, benefitted from WC services. 

Pat studied English and Administration at the College of William and Mary, Radford University, and University North Carolina Greensboro.  She founded The Piedmont School in High Point, North Carolina, a private school for students with specific learning disabilities.   In Lynchburg, she served as the Executive Director of Crisis Line and the YWCA.  Now retired, she continues to be involved with non-profits and public service work in volunteer capacities, and especially enjoys serving on the board of Endstation Theatre.

Both Farshid and Pat are active members of Peakland Baptist Church, and each pursue several interests. Farshid, in his former life, was a hiker, a runner, and mountain climber. (Yes! He climbed Pikes Peak).  Today, he continues to hike, follows sports, and spends time in the kitchen cooking. 

Pat enjoys flower gardening, reading, and watercolor painting and is known for her skills at portrait painting. She especially likes joining Farshid in the kitchen to eat his delicious Persian dishes. The Shahrokhis treasure the time they spend with their three children and their families and like all grandparents glow when they speak of their four grandchildren.