- Dr. Vahram Babikian, the 7th child of Yousouf Babikian and Makrouhi Hadidian, was born on December 29, 1911 in Aintab, Turkey. They were
members of the Armenian Evangelical Church of Aintab.
In 1915 when the Armenian Genocide began, the Babikian family settled in the town of Selimieh for three years. In 1918 they returned to Aintab. The peaceful life was interrupted again and the Babikian family, along with most of the population, moved from Turkey to Aleppo, Syria.
Vahram obtained his high school education at Aleppo College. Upon his
graduation, in 1930, the family moved to Beirut and Vahram continued his education in the American University of Beirut. He graduated from the Medical school in 1936 and moved to Jarablus, Syria practicing medicine for two years there.
In 1938, Vahram moved back to Aleppo, Syria and established his medical practice, which functioned until 1992. In 1955, he came to the USA and joined a residency program in psychiatry in Long Island. He returned to Aleppo, and became the most distinguished psychiatrist in Northern Syria. Vahram treated his patients with devotion, compassion, immense knowledge and wisdom.
On July 21, 1949 Vahram married Odette Chamichian the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Luder Chamichian. God blessed the family with two children and three grandchildren.
Vahram was a loving husband, devoted father, and loyal son who took care of his parents until their death. Vahram was also involved in numerous
church and community services. His services were always commendable.
In 1992, Vahram and his wife Odette settled in Fresno CA, to be near their relatives. He enjoyed the warmth in sunny California as well as the warmth of his relatives.
In recent years, Vahram faced a few age-related health challenges. With the
support of his loving wife he faced each of these challenges well. On Jan. 1, 2008, he went to his eternal life. Vahram is survived by his wife of 58 years, Odette, daughter Vera Nofal of Amman, Jordan and her son Moudar of Canada, his son, Dr. Paul Babikian and his wife Amy and children James and
Catherine of De Moines, Iowa and sister Veha Chamichian of Mount Pleasant, Michigan.
May his precious memory always be with us.
Source: AMAA News, Jan/Feb. 2008, Vol. XLII, No. 1, page 15
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