UNLV sadly announces the passing of Nasser Daneshvary, director of the Lied Institute for Real Estate Studies and professor of economics in the Lee Business School at UNLV. Daneshvary passed away unexpectedly at his home Aug. 18, 2012. He was 62.

A longtime faculty member and noted expert on the economic impact of the real estate market, Daneshvary was sought regularly by the business community and the media for his expertise on issues regarding foreclosures, housing, and the ongoing recession in Las Vegas.

"Nasser was a friend and great contributor to the growth and prestige of the UNLV campus," said UNLV President Neal Smatresk. "We will all miss him and send our deepest sympathies to his wife Rennae and his family."

After arriving at UNLV in 1990 as an assistant professor of economics, Daneshvary quickly was appointed chair of the economics department and went on to become interim chair of the management department, associate dean, and associate vice provost for academic resources. He also served the university as former chair of the UNLV Faculty Senate and most recently as director of the Lied Institute for Real Estate Studies.

"Nasser had a distinguished record of service to UNLV and was an energetic researcher, a dedicated teacher, and well-published author in economics and real estate," said Percy Poon, interim dean of the Lee Business School.

As an administrator, he oversaw the development of a major in international business, the executive master's degree in business administration, and dual master's degrees in business programs with the law and dental schools.

A prolific scholar with dozens of publications, Daneshvary was honored earlier this year with the American Real Estate Society Legacy Award, which is given to the author of the best paper published in the society's flagship Journal of Real Estate Research during the past three years.

Daneshvary previously served on the faculty at Southeast Missouri State University, Norwich University in Vermont, and Tusculum College in Tennessee.

He is survived by his wife, Rennae, who serves as associate director of research and administration for the Center for Business & Economic Research at UNLV and as director of the business school's Nevada KIDS COUNT program; and his son, Arash Vasegh-Daneshvary.

Details on memorial arrangements will be shared as soon as they are available.