"I had to be careful not to drop it on my toes!” Prof Kaikhosrov D. Irani (KDI) (pictured) was referring to his co-authorship with a fellow-Parsi of a weighty tome on physics. He claimed it to have had some success as instructional guide for undergraduates – overt modesty was never part of his professorial makeup.
From physics and the philosophy of physics to philosophy, abstract and actual, was conveyed with Socratic thoroughness – where questions were finely debated to arrive at the truth of a conclusion. The good professor patiently guided his students along the paths of reason and rationality. These mattered most to him; they attracted his admiring students, so that even until a few years before his demise on June 29, 2017 ("A scientific philosopher,” In Memoriam, Parsiana, August 7, 2017) he was frequently approached by several former students to consider giving further courses!
Insofar as Zoroastrianism was related, KDI firmly set his deep insights from the Gathas alone, as those sublime teachings were the only authenticated precepts of Zarathushtra; he left the Pahlavi translations and commentaries of 1,500 years later to the students of the non-Gathic school. The strongest word I’ve ever heard from KDI in this context was "Unbelievable!”
Working with Irani jointly on our conversion article was a salutary experience gained through his patience and sagacity. I will ever recall his gentle caution and somewhat anxious telephone calls from New York to ensure my avoidance of overmuch confrontation. Meeting many a time with Kaikhosrov and his devoted wife Piroja — a lady of great natural charm — in London was both a genuine pleasure and rare privilege. She sadly predeceased her beloved "Kekoo” by some five years.
I never knew more genteel souls, and in Kaikhosrov, a very dear friend, a greater gentleman.