In memory of Dr. Haroutune Krikor Armenian
With heavy hearts, the Armenian, Terzian, Stepanian, Hartounian, Bedrosian, Shahrikian, Dadourian and Cherkezian families, along with dear friends, announce the passing of their beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and relative, Dr. Haroutune Krikor Armenian on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 26 at 10 a.m., at St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Glendale, California. A memorial luncheon will follow.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to either:
– American University of Armenia’s Student Scholarship Fund Donations may be made through giving.aua.am or by sending a check to AUA’s Glendale office (117 South Louise St. #310, Glendale, CA 91205).
– HAMAZKAYIN Melankton & Haig Arslanian Djemaran – LebanonDonations may be made through djemaran.edu.lb/donate/
Dear Sona, Dr. Saro, and Kristine Armenian,
With deep respect and heartfelt condolences, I reach out to you and your family upon the temporary separation from a brilliant scientist and an extraordinary human being—Dr. Haroutiun Armenian.
I have tried many times to write this letter… I have carried it in my heart for nearly twenty-five years, but I never had the courage to put it down on paper. I couldn’t bear to reopen that deep wound, and I didn’t know how to explain to Dr. Armenian why our son, stayed in America and became a doctor here.
But today, with tears in my eyes, I write what has long remained unspoken in the depths of my soul.
Dr. Armenian never encouraged his students to leave their homeland. He deeply believed that their place was there—in his beloved country, in service and dedication. His integrity, the dignity of his character, and his patriotism have always stood as an example to me.
His passing is not merely a personal loss. It is a profound and irreplaceable loss for our nation, for the global scientific community, and for the fields of public health and education. His legacy is vast and deeply rooted—it is difficult to imagine a place untouched by his presence.
I remember with admiration the days when you stood side by side, welcoming everyone with humility and warm, loving smiles. Your family became, for us, a living symbol of love, faith, and unity. Even our unfinished home—with bare cement floors and no paint—felt like a palace because of your presence.
I also recall that day at the Shoghakat Church, after the memorial liturgy for Areen. When I embraced you and asked if you had found any comfort, your deep sigh still echoes in my soul. When you said, “Comfort? It doesn’t exist,” your words stayed with me—as the voice of a mother in boundless grief.
And yet today, I speak of comfort. May your heart be consoled by the knowledge that Dr. Armenian lived a full, wise, and love-filled life—entirely devoted to humanity, to his people, and to a luminous mission.
May his memory live forever.
May you find strength in your sorrow, surrounded by love and gratitude.
And to close, allow me to share a poem by Areen Armenian, as a quiet requiem:
…Feel the sorrow,
Share the pain and let the tears run,
But do not mourn forever.
Remember the joys, remember the smiles,
And remember the laughter—
But do not mourn forever.
Keep his memory,
And he shall live on, in your heart and in mine, forevermore…
With reverence, prayer, and respect,
Gohar Badalyan
New York, USA
And to close, allow me to share a poem by Areen Armenian, as a quiet requiem:
…Feel the sorrow,
Share the pain and let the tears run,
But do not mourn forever.
Remember the joys, remember the smiles,
And remember the laughter—
But do not mourn forever.
Keep his memory,
And he shall live on, in your heart and in mine, forevermore…