Kam Kambiz Movassaghi, PhD, PE, FASCE

Dr. Kam Movassaghi, of Lafayette, passed away on November 2, 2023, at 83 years old with his wife, Mazie, by his side. He was born on May 20, 1940, in Mashad, Iran, to Abbas and Esmat Movassaghi. In 1960, Kam left his home country of Iran, traveling through Europe, New York, and then to Lafayette, LA to study civil engineering at SLI (now UL Lafayette). He continued his studies at LSU, ultimately earning a PhD before moving back to Iran with his family to teach and work in engineering. In 1979, they returned to Lafayette to escape the Iranian Revolution, and he was hired at USL (now UL Lafayette) in the Department of Civil Engineering. “Dr Kam” as he was best known, was a dedicated public servant to his adopted state. He served as Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) under Governor Mike Foster. During this tenure, he lobbied for transportation improvements to infrastructure, initiated some of the largest projects in DOTD’s history, restructured the department for more efficiency, and played a key role in the task force to push for an I-49 corridor. Kam served various academic, civic, and professional organizations and received numerous awards and honors. He was recognized as the ASCE National Government Engineer of the Year and was executive director of the ground-breaking document, 2012 Report Card for Louisiana's Infrastructure. He also is one of only 18 individuals to receive ASCE’s Francis C. Turner Award for contributions to the knowledge and practice of transportation engineering. In 2011, he was given a lifetime designation as a “National Associate” of the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies. He was also recognized as a National Government Engineer of the Year and distinguished in the Louisiana Transportation Hall of Honor and LSU Civil and Environmental Engineering Hall of Distinction. Kam’s public service extended to the Acadiana community, where he served on various boards, notably as chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, and with UL, as an avid tailgater at UL football games and member of UL’s Civil Engineering Advisory Board. Kam’s latest license plate read “Nouveau Cajun,” because he felt that the Cajun country had adopted him and allowed him to make a home and raise a family here. He loved the Acadiana atmosphere of joie de vivre, including its music, food, socializing, and focus on family. Kam was a brilliant man who was full of integrity; he was a deep thinker and deep feeler and believed in public service and the value of education. He was constantly sought for advice, both professionally and personally. Kam is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mazie Bodden Movassaghi, and by two children, Eric (Kat) of Lafayette, and Jennifer (Jimmy) Moffett of Houston, TX. He was so proud of his three grandchildren, Josie (21), Camille (17), and Tripp (7) and enjoyed attending their volleyball games, musicals, culminating ceremonies, and school events. He is also survived by his sister, Feri Khatibi of San Jose, CA. Kam always said, “I am a lucky man,” and was beloved by his family and friends. The family would like to sincerely thank the wonderful doctors, nurses, and staff of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center for their exemplary care during Kam’s final days. The family will hold a private burial service. A memorial service celebrating Kam’s life will be held on December 2, 2023 in the chapel on the campus of the Episcopal School of Acadiana in Cade, LA; visitation will begin at 10:00 am, and the service will start at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Kam and Mazie Movassaghi Endowed Civil Engineering Support Fund with the UL Foundation at give.louisiana.edu (Select Academic Colleges ≥ Engineering ≥ type the scholarship name in the comment field) or to the UL Foundation, P. O. Box 44290, Lafayette, LA 70504, specifying the fund. Copyright Delhomme Funeral Homes, Inc. November 2023

Kam Kambiz Movassaghi, PhD, PE, FASCE

May 20, 1940 - November 2, 2023