Berge "Bob" Der Matoian

1933 - 2024

Berge "Bob" Der Matoian

July 6, 1933 - April 11, 2024

Fresno, California - Bob was born in Waukegan, Illinois on July 06, 1933, to parents Mesrob and Peggy Der Matoian (nee Terjanian).

The family moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1934, where his sister Barbara was born. In 1944 the family moved to Fresno. He attended Emerson Elementary School, Longfellow Junior High, and Roosevelt High School.

He attended Fresno State University until drafted into the Army in January 1954. Following his Honorable Discharge in 1956, he went to work at the Valley Radiator Co. where he went from employee to partner to owner; and remained there until his retirement on December 31, 1992. He was also the central valley distributor for Liberty Radiator.

Bob joined the St. Paul Armenian Church ACYO in 1951. In 1956, he joined St. Paul Armenian Church as a dues paying member.

Bob married Sara Mae Krikorian of Oakland, CA at St. Paul on January 18, 1958. They have three children: Paula Der Matoian and her husband Richie Attoian of Fresno, Mark Der Matoian and his wife Sue of Clovis, and Brian Der Matoian and his wife Cindy of Foothill Ranch, CA.

Bob was fiercely proud of has three grandsons, Alec of Santa Maria, Ben of San Diego, and Michael of Clovis.

Bob was an active member of The Knights of Vartan, joining in 1968. He has served as Commander of the Yeprad Lodge in Fresno and as the Grand Commander from 2006-2008.

As a member of St. Paul, he served on the Parish Council, and the annual Parish Assembly as Assembly Secretary, Vice-Chairman and Chairman. He served as a Diocesan Assembly Delegate and as the English Secretary at the Diocesan Assembly.

Bob joined the St. Paul Men's Forum in 1961 and has remained active to this day. He served as Chairman in 1966 and has held executive offices throughout his 63 years of membership. He served as the Chairman and Co-Chairman of the St. Paul Annual Grape Blessing Picnic, the Men's Forum Dinner/Meeting Chairman, was a member of the Men's Forum Cooking Committee and has been the purchasing agent/logistic coordinator for the Picnic, Merchant's Lunch, and any other St. Paul activity or organization that needed help. He and his wife Sara organized the St Paul Service Committee, serving Memorial lunches for 7 years, and they founded the "Avaks", a group of church senior members who gathered monthly to have lunch and play card and board games.

Bob was a member of the Armenian Assembly and the American Legion. He served on the Board of Directors the Armenian Community School of Fresno.

He enjoyed gardening, spending time with friends, and playing cards.

Bob lived a life of service devoted to the causes he supported and to his family. He donated his time, energy, and dedication whenever asked. His light and energy will be missed, and his departure from this earth will leave a void in the hearts, minds, and souls of all that knew him.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years Sara, children Paula and her husband Richie; Mark and his wife Sue; Brian and his wife Cindy; grandsons Alec, Ben, and Michael; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A viewing will be held at Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Thursday, April 18, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m.

Knights of Vartan Services for Bob will be held at St. Paul Armenian Apostolic Church on Friday, April 19, 2023, at 10 a.m., followed by a Funeral Service at 10:30 am, and a Memorial Luncheon. Following the Memorial Luncheon, burial service will be at the Masis Ararat Cemetery.

Remembrances in Bob's name may be made to St. Paul Armenian Church at 3767 N. First St., Fresno, CA 93726; the Fresno Rescue Mission at www.fresnomission.org; St. Jude's Cancer Research at www.stjude.org/give/cancer-donations.html; or the donor's favorite charity.