RICHARD J. MANOOGIAN

1922 - 2018

Richard J. Manoogian was born on December 31, 1922, in Fresno, CA, as the second son to Manoog and Arpine Manoogian. He went to be with the Lord on Friday, September 21, 2018. He attended the Webster Elementary School, and in 1941, graduated from Fresno High School. Dick attended what was then Fresno State College for a while but schooling was interrupted by induction into the United States Army on February 9, 1944. Basic training at Camp Abbot, OR, after which, as part of the Corps of Engineers, he was sent to New Guinea, the Philippines, and Japan. He attained the rank of Sergeant and was being considered for Officers Training School when the war ended. He had served over two years. After his discharge, Dick attended University of California, Berkeley, and received his Masters degree in Architecture. In 1951, Dick married Vera Abraham. The marriage did not survive but did produce three sons, John, Alan, and Mark, the joys of Dick's life. After graduating from Berkeley, Dick and family returned to Fresno where he worked as an architect until he and an architectural friend, Chet Kielan, began their partnership as the firm of Kielan & Manoogian, Architects. In the summer of 1970, Dick met Sharkey Manoogian of Worcester, MA, who was visiting relatives in Fresno. On October 17, 1970, Dick and his three sons married Sharkey, who later became Sheri. They were the second couple to be married in the new Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church, which Dick had designed. Dick and Sheri would have celebrated their 47 year wedding anniversary on October 17, 2018. May 20, 1999, marked a highlight in their lives. Their beloved granddaughter, Pari Manoogian, was born to his son John, and his former wife, Lisa DeOrian. Richard has been a member of the Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church all of his life. He not only designed the Church and the Family Life Center, but he served in several capacities in the church. He was a member of the American Institute of Architects his entire working career; served on the Committee for the Handicapped of the Fresno City College; he received a 50 year membership pin from the Knights of Vartan where he served as Commander from 1974 to 1975; a long time member of the A.G.B.U. and served as its local President for a few years. On January 27, 2018, Richard J. Manoogian as its architect, was the honoree at the Founders Day Banquet of the Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church. Richard endured devastating tragedies. In 1973, his precious middle son, Alan, was killed in an automobile accident. Sadly, in 2016, due to illness, his youngest son, Mark, also went to be with the Lord. Both sons knew the Lord which becomes the 'Balm in Gilead' for the Manoogians. In 1985, Dick and Sheri purchased a home in the Pismo Beach Mobile Home Park, after which four of their good friends followed suit. They enjoyed many years there at Pismo Beach with their relatives and friends. Richard is survived by his wife, Sheri, of 47 years; his son, John of San Mateo, CA; his granddaughter, Pari, who is a sophmore at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN; and nephews, Donald Manoogian of Danville, CA, and Richard "Rick" Manoogian of Rancho Santa Fe, CA. A Funeral Service will held at Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church on Friday, September 28, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church, 3673 N. First St., Fresno, CA 93726.