(The following appreciation was submitted to Kayhan Life by the family of Mr. Manuchehr Nikpour.)
Manuchehr Nikpour, the former director and chief executive of Bank Sepah – Iran’s oldest bank – passed away peacefully in the United States on Dec. 5.
Born in Tehran in August 1924, he was the son of Abdolhossein Nikpour, a prominent political figure and pioneering industrialist who introduced glass manufacturing in Iran from Germany. His early life was significantly influenced by a visit by Reza Shah and Crown Prince Mohammad Reza Shah to his father’s innovative glass factory in Tehran, which helped pave the way for the factory’s success.
After finishing high school and studying law for two years in Iran, Manuchehr married Malakdokht Kamrani in 1940. They moved to the United States in 1946, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Masters degree in Management from Indiana and West Virginia Universities. He returned to Iran in 1950.
In Iran, Nikpour took over the management of his father’s glass factory and later his private bank. He then transitioned into a government role, and played a key part in launching Iran’s first department store, Foroushgah Ferdowsi (Ferdowsi Department Store).
His strong leadership skills caught the attention of the Sazmaneh Barnameh (Planning Organization), and led him to become the CEO of Bank Refah Kargaran (Worker’s Welfare Bank), where he established the bank as a vital resource for worker financing and housing.
Nikpour’s dedication to public service earned him the role of Director at Sazmaneh Bimehaye Ejtemai (Social Welfare Organization). There, he made significant strides in health and social programs, implementing welfare initiatives for workers.
His career reached a peak came when he was appointed Director and CEO of Bank Sepah, the oldest bank in Iran, where he expanded international banking operations and greatly increased the bank’s presence across the country.
Following the 1979 Revolution, he turned to entrepreneurship in the United States, launching a successful chain of Italian sportswear stores that competed successfully with major retail chains.
Manuchehr Nikpour passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on December 5. He was a devoted family man, leaving behind his children Rana, Tannaz, the late Freydoon, Cyrus, Soheila, Sohrab, and Darioush; his grandchildren Layla, Amir Ali, Skylar, Alexander, Lucca, Matteo, and Valentina; along with his great-grandchildren James, Aryanna, Jasmine, Jonathon, Parker, and Shepard.
Nikpour will be fondly remembered for his remarkable contributions to industry and public welfare, as well as for his kindness, generosity, and unwavering dedication to his family and country. His legacy lives on through his family and the many lives he touched with his innovative spirit and compassionate nature.
