Steve Jobs’ biological father, Syrian-born one-time itinerant college professor Abdulfattah “John” Jandali, 80, who manages the Boomtown casino outside Reno, is full of regret about never being a part of his son’s life. The Wall Street Journal sought him out and gets a sad, illuminating story for today’s Page 1. Jandali may have long ago abandoned his children—including Jobs’ sister, the novelist Mona Simpson—but he doesn’t appear to be a publicity seeker. The WSJ says he kept his connection to the late Apple CEO a secret for fear of being perceived as a hanger-on. Until recently, not even his closest friends knew. An excerpt:
With crinkled eyes and white hair surrounding a balding head, Mr. Jandali has a physical resemblance to Mr. Jobs. A side table in his office prominently features a framed publicity shot of Ms. Simpson that Mr. Jandali said he downloaded from the Internet.
He said he learned of Mr. Jobs's death on Wednesday at the office, when a stranger called to offer condolences. He quickly hung up the phone.
"It was not a shock," Mr. Jandali said. "Basically all you feel is sadness."
