Mohammed Hakim Parwana

April 29, 1930 - December 19, 2018

Vestal, and formerly of Whitehall, NY -Mohamad Hakim Parwana, 88, died Wednesday December 19 from side effects of Parkinson’s Disease.

Born in Charasiab, Afghanistan the month the roses bloom in the first year of the reign of Nadir Shah, 4th son of Mohammed Alef and Khadija (Babo), he trained as a civil engineer at Kabul University, University of Wyoming and University of Arizona.

He worked in various capacities in the Helmand and Arghandab Valley Project in Helmand and Kandahar Provinces, Afghanistan, and on hydropower and irrigation projects for the TVA and Morrison-Knudsen, Boise, Idaho. He was clerk of the works at International Paper in Ticonderoga on a pollution control equipment installation before being hired as village engineer in Whitehall, NY where he worked until retirement.

Working for Morrison-Knudsen engineering in Lashkar Gah he and wife Carolee developed numerous lifelong friends who they enjoyed visiting along with relatives around the country and the world. Once king Zahir Shah entrusted a necktie to him which was later retrieved by a special visit from the royal security detail. He served king and country in the Afghan Royal Army, then moved permanently to the US in 1969. He became a US citizen in the bicentennial year. A wanderer through his life Whitehall became his true final home where he enjoyed his work, his friendship with employees and townspeople alike, and particularly developing his golf game in retirement.

He was a gracious man with never an unkind word.

Predeceased by his parents, brothers Ali Khan, Zafar Khan, sister Shafiqa, and brother Ghulam Yahya. Wife Anis Jan. Wife Carolee (Jackson) Parwana and son Tariq.

He is survived by brother Reza Khan, sisters Sharifa and Nafisa, brother Nisar and sister Aqela, son Naim (Sohaila), daughters Anisa Maye (Robert), Noor Jahan (Mark Syverson), son Michael (Jeannette Brandt). Grandchildren Maryam and Madena, Justin and Danielle Maye, Kamran and Olivia. Great grandchildren Berkley and Zayne, and Ruth. He loved equally numerous brothers and sisters in law, nieces and nephews and extended family, living and deceased, far too many to name.

There will be no calling hours. Hakim would appreciate to a charity that feeds children.

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