Philanthropist Vartkess M. Balian Leaves a Rich Legacy

A tireless supporter of Armenian causes, Vartkess M. Balian passed away on Monday, August 3, 2008, in Arlington, Virginia, at the age of 76 after a courageous battle with cancer. A former president of the Armenian General Benevolent Union's (AGBU) Central Committee of America, he was a co-founder, along with his wife, Rita, of the highly successful AGBU New York Summer Intern Program, which offers Armenian students from around the world opportunities to gain professional work experience that will aid them in their future careers. The New York Intern Program has over 600 alumni.

AGBU President Berge Setrakian offered his condolences to the Balian family and cited his invaluable contributions to AGBU: "Vartkess was always a most ardent and loyal supporter of our Armenian heritage. He was a devoted leader within the AGBU community, having served as a Board member and as co-founder and co-chair of the President's Club of AGBU's New York Intern Program."

A Life Remembered

Vartkess Balian was an architect, home builder, developer, humanitarian and art collector who was a giant in Washington, DC's Armenian-American community. He dedicated his life to public and community service and was forever devoted to his Armenian heritage. Along with his wife, he supported countless cultural and humanitarian efforts around the world, particularly in Armenia and the United States.

Born in Beirut, Lebanon, he studied architecture and civil engineering at the American University of Beirut and, soon afterwards, opened an architectural and engineering firm that designed many institutions and residential buildings in Lebanon, including numerous Armenian schools. Along with Yenovk Balikian, he designed the modernist AGBU Alex Manoogian Center in downtown Beirut.

He left Beirut during the onset of that country's civil war and settled in Washington, DC in 1976. He was a founder and partner of the Hyattsville-based Quad Group of America, a land development and construction company that has built several thousand residences across the region. In the 1990s, he became a partner in Haverford Homes, a Hyattsville home development business founded by his oldest son.

Vartkess Balian was also active in many other Armenian-American organizations. He was a trustee of the Washington-based Armenian Assembly of America. He established an endowment fund with the Tekeyan Cultural Association to sponsor an annual international media award for Armenian journalists. He served as president of the Tekeyan central board and as a trustee of St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church in Washington, DC.

After the 1988 Armenian earthquake, the Balians initiated humanitarian and cultural efforts to aid the people of Armenia. A school in Garbi, Armenia, was named in their honor.

For the past 11 years, Vartkess Balian was a trustee of the Armenian American Wellness Center in Yerevan, which has provided medical services to underserved women in Armenia.

Vartkess Balian was also a patron of the arts and a noted collector of modern Armenian art. His collection, which he lovingly built with his wife, has been showcased in museums, galleries and U.S. embassies throughout the world. In Washington, he was a benefactor of art museums, orchestras, opera and other cultural institutions. He was also a member of the Washington National Cathedral Association.

He and his wife have been honored by His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, for their efforts in promoting the international Armenian Apostolic Church.

Vartkess Balian is survived by his wife of 47 years, Rita Balian; his two sons, Sevag Balian of Chevy Chase and Raffi Balian of Arlington; two sisters, Haikouhi Koudoussian of Rockville and Marie Balian of Arlington; and four grandchildren.