Hersh Ipaktchian

Hersh Ipaktchian

July 17, 1938-Dec. 6, 2015

Hersh Ipaktchian studied engineering in college. Though he didn’t put his degree to conventional use, he enjoyed nothing more than building things, a family, a successful restaurant business and friendships that spanned the years.

On December 6, 2015, the much-loved husband, father and grandfather finally laid down the tools that had served him so well throughout his life and entered into a well-deserved rest. And he did so on his terms: peacefully, at home and in his family’s presence. With his tenacious will, he never found it easy to walk away from a fight, but having assured himself that he had given all he could, he departed with dignity and grace.

Hooshang Ipaktchian was born July 18, 1938, in Iran. At the age of 17, he left Tehran, not knowing a word of English, and came to the United States to finish his high school education, as was the custom for many Iranian families of the time. He joined his older brother, Sid, in Los Angeles where he completed high school. It was while working at a grocery store in Los Angeles that he picked up his Americanized first name, Hersh, from a store manager who could not pronounce Hooshang.

As he looked for colleges, a friend mentioned Weber State College in Ogden, Utah. Hersh enrolled in engineering, joining seven other Iranian students at the school.

In 1960 in front of Ogden High School, he met Lola Ann Thompson on a blind date. They were married almost exactly a year later on Feb. 17, 1961. They had the first of their two children while he finished college and worked a variety of part-time jobs. Lola was also working part-time at an Arctic Circle fast-food restaurant, and the owner asked if Hersh might be interested in managing the location in Layton. It was the beginning of a lifelong passion for the food industry.

From his role as manager and then general manager, Hersh eventually bought Arctic Circle franchises of his own. Over the years, he opened a variety of restaurants throughout the state: Anthony’s Restaurants, Casa de Mia, the Mexican Place, Charley O’s Steakhouse, Don Pedro’s, the Empress Supper Club, Hobo Jo’s, Mullboons, Peppercorn Steakhouse, Sky Bar, Iggy’s Sports Grill and Cantina Southwestern Grill. In addition to his restaurants, he also operated a food supply company, a printing business and a storage facility.

True to his skills in engineering, Hersh was always most excited when he was building something new. Although some of his business ventures didn’t succeed, Hersh continued to seek out and embrace new opportunities. He often told his family and friends that he learned just as much from his failures as he did from his successes.

He was heavily involved in the business community, serving leadership roles in the Layton Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club and the Utah Restaurant Association. For several years, he also wrote a monthly column for Western Foodservice magazine.

While his professional focus was on the restaurant industry, Hersh also put a priority on time with Lola and their four children. The family always shared dinner together, and weekends were spent on movies, scenic drives and, as the kids got older, a well-honed car wash in the driveway in which Hersh and the four kids cleaned and polished the vehicles while bopping along to the latest tunes. He took pride in making sure that his children and, later, his grandchildren made the most of their educational opportunities. He also instilled in them the value of good, hard work.

His laughter and his always-ample arsenal of jokes will be dearly missed.

Hersh is survived by his wife, Lola, of Kaysville; his four children Susan Ipaktchian of Palo Alto, Calif., Rich Ipaktchian of Centerville, Dave Ipaktchian of Salt Lake City, and Debbie Vanderhoof of Layton; his five grandchildren Vanessa Vanderhoof, Jake Vanderhoof, Quinten Vanderhoof, Morgan Ipaktchian and Michael Ipaktchian; and his three brothers Sid, Ben and Frank. He is preceded in death by his parents, Fatahali and Razieh.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff from Alpha Home Health and Hospice for their attentive care of Hersh during the past year.

Funeral services will be held Friday, December 11, 2015 at 2 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road.  Friends may visit family Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the mortuary.  Interment, Kaysville City Cemetery, 500 East Crestwood Road.

The family encourages those who wish to honor Hersh to make a donation in his name to the American Diabetes Association.