Author: Khaleej Times (Dubai) - Associated Press (AP), January 2, 2004 -
Released: 1/7/2004

Family Lauds Rescue Efforts

Family of Californian killed in Iran earthquake lauds rescue efforts

SAN FRANCISCO, California - The family of an American killed in last week's devastating Iranian earthquake hopes his death will contribute to better understanding between the United States and Iran.

Tobb Dell'Oro, 41, and his fiancée, Adele Freedman, 39, of Redwood City, California, were in the ancient city of Bam when the roof of their hotel collapsed in the 6.6 magnitude earthquake. Dell'Oro died from his injuries, while Freedman, whose leg was crushed, is being treated at a hospital in Tehran.

Relatives say they appreciate the kindness the Iranian people showed the two American tourists in the midst of their country's national tragedy. The Dec. 26 quake flattened Bam and killed nearly 30,000 people.

"The Iranian people took care of them before their own people," Dell'Oro's sister, Tam Dell'Oro, said Thursday. "If he was supposed to die for a reason, I hope it's for Americans to have a better understanding of the compassion" of the Iranian people.

The youngest of three children, Tobb Dell'Oro was born and raised in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, where his father, a geologist, worked for an oil company. In recent years, he ran a Redwood City market research firm, the Dell'Oro Group, with his sister.

Dell'Oro, who spoke Arabic, loved to travel and learn about different cultures, his sister said.

"Tobb was an explorer at heart," Tam Dell'Oro said. "He was an adventurer. He loved to go to the far reaches of the world."

Dell'Oro met Freedman, a partner at a Mountain View law firm, four years ago and proposed to her in Iran, just two days before the quake.

"Before they left they were a little nervous because they weren't sure how they were going to be treated," Tam Dell'Oro said. "Once they got there, they were so happy because the Iranian people really embraced them."

Dell'Oro and Freedman had booked a room at a newly built hotel outside Bam, but they were so enchanted by the ancient Silk Road city and its 2,000-year-old citadel that they decided at the last minute to stay at an old hotel in town.

When the earthquake struck at dawn on Dec. 26, the old hotel's roof collapsed, while the modern hotel where they originally intended to stay wasn't seriously damaged. After the quake, their tour guide and driver rushed to Bam and quickly organized a rescue party to dig them out.

Dell'Oro died en route to the nearest hospital in Kerman, about 195 kilometers (120 miles) from Bam. At the hospital, Freedman was given priority treatment before other earthquake victims, Dell'Oro's sister said.

Freedman's parents were scheduled to arrive in Tehran on Thursday and planned to break the news about her fiancée's death to her then. After two surgeries, doctors believe she'll be able to walk again, Tam Dell'Oro said.

Before leaving for Iran, Freedman's mother, Annamae, told the New York Post that she believes her daughter is alive today because of the bravery and dedication of the couple's Iranian tour guide, Farzaneh Khademi, who insisted on finding them in the rubble.

"That woman has not left my child's side," said a tearful Freedman. "She held Tobb in her arms on the ride from Bam. She held both of them."

A funeral home in Santa Rosa, where Dell'Oro's parents live, is working with the US State Department to bring Dell'Oro's body back from Iran.