In Memory of Varoujan Chalian

Dr. Varoujan Asadour Chalian of Indianapolis and Bloomington, Ill., passed away on August 17, 2023, at age 95 surrounded by his loving family.

He was known as Varoujan, Dad, Jan, John, Uncle Varoujan, Uncle John, Babig, Bab or Dr. Chalian to his friends, colleagues and beloved family. Varoujan was born to Yeranouhi (Chamsarian) and Asadour Chalian, survivors of the Armenian Genocide, on August 29, 1927, in Beirut, Lebanon. He was proud to have been raised in the Hadjin neighborhood among friends from their home village in Cilicia. He was the second of five children, and his love for his siblings and parents taught him the value of family, a strong foundation he passed on to his children, nieces and nephews.

Varoujan married Zarouhi Izmirlian in 1961, and they moved to Indianapolis to start a family. They raised four children: Ara, Vicken, Luci and Sona. He could not resist sharing his children’s accomplishments with everyone he spoke to. Varoujan also loved being babig, passing on the Armenian heritage to his grandchildren, celebrating their academic and extracurricular accomplishments and witnessing the marriage of his first grandchild last year. His Armenian roots were interwoven into his being. He instilled this spirit in his children and grandchildren through language, food and advocacy for the Armenian cause.

Varoujan and Zaroug loved to entertain, and they left their door open to anyone who needed a place to celebrate the holidays or just to stay the night. Their dining room was often referred to as the United Nations. Varoujan had a great partner in Zaroug, who knew how to welcome anyone with open arms to feel part of the family. Food was another expression of their love and hospitality. His signature dishes were hummus and tabbouleh.

Varoujan also had what his children would call je ne sais quoi – his ability to motivate and mentor whoever he crossed paths with. Since his passing, many have told his children that Varoujan inspired and supported them in their important life decisions, whether it was moving to the United States or pursuing a career path. He was a loving and generous advocate for his patients, students and colleagues.

Varoujan graduated from the Armenian College in Beirut, Lebanon in 1945 and the Ecole de Chirurgie Dentaire et de Stomatologie in Paris, France in 1955 with a doctor of dental surgery. He graduated from Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1964 with a doctor of dental surgery and in 1968 with a master of science in dentistry. He interned at Hotel Dieu de Paris Hospital and the Massachusetts Cancer Hospital. He also completed a residency at Philadelphia General Hospital and Maxillofacial Prosthetics at M.D. Anderson in Houston, Texas. His greatest pride was being among the first graduates of the Armenian School in Beirut led by the leaders of the first Republic of Armenia, the Neshan Palandjian Djemaran. His classmates became his lifelong friends.

During his time at Indiana University, Varoujan established a department in Maxillofacial Prosthodontics. He created and chaired the department and trained people to bring the specialty to other cities. During his tenure at the university, he rapidly ascended the academic ladder to the ranks of Director of the Maxillofacial Prosthetics Clinic and Professor of the Indiana School of Dentistry and Indiana University School of Medicine.

Varoujan was a fellow of the American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists, American College of Prosthodontics and Diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics. He was president of the American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics, a recipient of the Andrew J. Ackerman Award of the American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics, and in 1984 received the Distinguished Teaching Award at Indiana University. He published numerous articles and was an author and contributing author to many books. His book Maxillofacial Prosthetics – A Multidisciplinary Practice was the seminal book in the field for decades.

In retirement, he remained active in Armenian causes and organizations, in particular the Armenian National Committee of America.

Dad will be missed, but our memories and “quotables” of him will always be with us.

Varoujan is survived by his children Dr. Ara (Talar) Chalian, Dr. Vicken Chalian, Luci Chalian, Sona (John) Cleary; grandchildren Ani Chalian, Lena (Michael) Elzanati, Ara Chalian and Shirag Chalian; brother Zareh (Annie) Chalian; sister Maro Read; sister-in-law Maral Chalian; and 10 nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife Zarouhi Chalian; brothers Garo and Toros Chalian; sisters-in-law Ani Chalian, Takouhi Kirkyasharian, Osanna Izmirlian, and Audrey Izmirlian; and brothers-in-law Hratch Kirkyasharian and Asadour Izmirlian.

Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, September 16 at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church at 8701 Ridge Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19128. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. in the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to two groups of which Varoujan was a lifelong supporter:

Armenian National Committee Eastern Region
ANCA Eastern Region 80 Bigelow Avenue, Watertown, MA 02472
Include In Memory of Varoujan A. Chalian DDS in memo field.

M and H Arslanian Djemaran School
Payable to Hamazkayin Endowment Fund. Include In Memory of Varoujan A. Chalian DDS and Djemaran in memo field. If by check, mail to c/o Varoujan Chalian, P.O. Box 1345, Paoli, PA 19301.

The Armenian National Committee Eastern Region and Hairenik Association extend condolences to the family and friends of Dr. Chalian.