Robert Salim

January 19, 1940 – July 25, 1994

Survivor, Entrepreneur, Chef, Beautician, Scientist

Robert Parviz Salim was born in Iran, but like our American forefathers, he came to the United States fleeing religious persecution and seeking freedom to pursue his dreams. He completed a factory management degree in Iran, but was excluded from going to medical school because of his religion. So, he came to the U.S. to study and to work. While going to school, he worked as a chef to pay his way in many cities across the country. While in Chicago, he met a Baha’i named Bonita Breen and they were married there. Eventually, they moved to Oklahoma and like so many who came to Stillwater, it became their home where they raised three sons: Rocky, Danny, and David.

Robert never made it to medical school, but he did finish additional degrees in Biology and Chemistry. And he owned and operated several local businesses over the years. He owned Rocky’s Restaurant at 7th and Market in Perry, Oklahoma, operated Baroness Beauty Salon at 113 West 5th Street in Stillwater, and A&A Auto Mart at 1502 S. Perkins Rd. He also worked in the chemistry and metallurgy lab at Mercury Marine. The most recent of these was A&A Automart and this dealership evolved and grew into Alpha Auto Finders.

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The Baha’i Faith was a significant part of Robert’s life and knowing about it will help understand him.

What Baháʼís Believe:

• Unity of God: There is only one God who reveals His will progressively through messengers.
• Unity of Religion: Prophets like Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, and Baháʼu’lláh represent different stages of one divine plan.
• Unity of Humanity: All people are equal, and prejudices of race, class, and gender must be eliminated.
• Independent Investigation: Every individual must search for truth independently rather than blindly following tradition.

Website of the Baha’is of the United States

• https://www.bahai.us

A Common Endeavor is a recent message from the US Baha’i Community:

Jeff Jones

April 17, 1951 – September 4, 2021

Teacher, Musician, Businessman, Collector

Often people know Jeff from only one aspect of his life. Most know him as a teacher. He taught instrumental music (band and orchestra) in the Stillwater Public Schools for 25 years. Then he started a new orchestra program for the Midwest City / Del City schools before retiring. Hundreds of students were positively impacted by Jeff during those several decades. They learned music, discipline, teamwork, and life lessons that enriched their lives.

Jeff played many instruments, but his primary instrument was the violin. As a young man, he was so good that he had the opportunity to join Henry Mancini’s orchestra . He sometimes wondered how his life might have been different if he had chosen that path instead of becoming a teacher. Jeff continued to play even after his retirement. He played with the OSU Symphony, The Tulsa Philharmonic (and its predecessor), the Oklahoma City Philharmonic (and its predecessor), the Stillwater Community Orchestra, and various other groups. He also judged scholastic band and orchestra competitions every year after his retirement.

Jeff had an MBA and was an excellent businessman. He had a retirement plan that he started early in his teaching career, investing in rental properties so that when the properties were eventually paid for, the passive income would allow him to retire at a young age. He used his summers off from teaching to work with cars and houses. Jeff retired from teaching on schedule using the rule of 80 (his age plus years of service = 80).

In 1996, while still teaching, Jeff went into partnership with former students, Rocky and David Salim, and formed Alpha Auto Finders. He had a passion for automobiles and collected several, including his beloved 1978 Chevrolet Corvette Silver Anniversary Indianapolis 500 Pace Car that lived on the showroom floor at Alpha ever since they built the new building. Jeff had vast knowledge on many subjects. He built several of the houses that he lived in, and was an expert on not only classic cars, but also musical instruments, firearms, coins, and stamps.

One important thing to mention is that Jeff often helped people but he did so secretly. He assisted low-income students with instruments and lessons and made sure that everyone in the orchestra had an opportunity to participate in trips and activities. He helped many people get cars they could afford, repair, and maintain. Jeff’s service to his family and friends, residents of Stillwater, and the Oklahoma state music community will have a lasting influence for many years to come.

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You can view Jeff’s memorial service at Salem Lutheran Church at the following link: