Richard Aljian M.D.

1940 - 2016

Richard Aljian, MD

AGE: 76 • Wall Township

Richard Aljian MD, 76, passed away Wednesday, November 30, 2016 after a 14 month battle against cancer. Dr. Aljian was born in Fort Lee, NJ, in 1940 to John and Agnes Aljian, both immigrants who fled the Turkish genocide of the Armenians in 1917. His father built, with no formal education, a highly successful business and touched the lives of many other Armenian families whom he helped settle in the United Stated by providing housing and offering employment. Dr. Aljian attended Fort Lee High School and received his Medical Degree from New Jersey School of Medicine and Dentistry in 1966. Dr. Aljian and his wife, Trudy, moved to Atlanta, Georgia where he commenced his internship at Grady Memorial Hospital. Their first child, Richard, was born during his residency, and upon entering the US Air Force as a Captain the family moved to California and then Illinois where their second child, Mark, was born. Upon discharge from the Air Force, Dr. Aljian commenced his residency at St. Vincent's Hospital in New York City where he was named Chief Surgical Resident and during this period, they had their third child, Matthew.

Having successfully navigated years of medical training, Dr. Aljian and his family moved in 1973 to Wall Township, New Jersey where he started his medical practice in General Surgery at Point Pleasant Hospital. The medical community welcomed him, and many long lasting friendships and relationships were forged during the early years of establishing himself as a surgeon. Continuing his desire to learn and achieve more in the field of surgery, Dr. Aljian was Board Certified in 1978 and served at Point Pleasant Hospital as Chief of Surgery. Brick Memorial Hospital (now Ocean Medical Center) opened in 1984, where Dr. Aljian continued his practice, a fixture on the floors as he made his daily rounds visiting with patients. Although the number of patients he treated is unknown, one can only imagine that it numbers in the thousands. In the local communities, many families still recall Dr. Aljian's compassion and "bedside manner" which was not something taught in medical school. Dr. Aljian truly loved all aspects of surgery and his talent as a surgeon was missed when he and Trudy, who worked in his office, decided to retire in 2002. As a member of Manasquan River Golf Club since 1976, Dr. Aljian could, up until October 2015, drive a golf ball further than the other "old guys." Since retiring, Rich and Trudy split their time between their home in Manasquan and their home in Tarpon Springs, Florida, where they enjoyed the warm weather and being close to their son Mark and his family. Rich and Trudy were once again immediately welcomed into a new community, establishing lifelong friendships. He loved to fish and be on his boat, he enjoyed many vacations over the years with family and friends, he loved good Armenian cooking, and he loved his eight grandchildren.

Dr. Richard Aljian is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Trudy; his son Richard and his wife Ava of Newtown Square, PA, and their children Claire, Sydney and Dean; his son Mark of Palm Harbor, FL, and his children Brooke, Cole and Katie; and by his son Matthew and his wife Amanda of Amston, CT, and their children Matthew and Christian. He is also survived by his brother Robert and his wife Sonia of Fort Lee, NJ; his sister Sally and her husband Dr. Richard Berjian of Stewart, FL, many cousins and their children, and his wife's extended family.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8pm Tuesday, December 6th at Orender Family Home for Funerals in Manasquan, NJ. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30am Wednesday, December 7th at Saint Catharine Church, Spring Lake, NJ. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to St. Catharine's Church 215 Essex Avenue, Spring Lake, NJ 07762. To send condolences to the family or obtain directions to the funeral home please visit www.orenderfamilyhome.com