Dr. Leo Aram Raphaelian's Obituary
Dr. Leo Aram Raphaelian, age 81, of Spring Lake, MI (formerly of Wilmette, IL) passed away peacefully from natural causes and with family members by his side on May 21, 2014.
Leo was born on November 30, 1932 in Newton, MA to Aram and Agavni (Agnes Baronian) Raphaelian. After graduating from Roxbury Latin High School in West Roxbury, MA, Leo earned degrees at Harvard University (A.B. 1955) and Yale University (MA 1957 and Ph.D. 1961, in chemistry).
In 1956 he married the former Gloria Kooyoomjian, and in June this year they would have celebrated their 58th year of marriage. Together they have three children; Dr. Mark Raphaelian (Dr. Fahimeh Niroomand-Raphaelian) of San Ramon, CA, Paul Raphaelian, MD (Brenda Raphaelian) of Spring Lake, MI, and Christopher Raphaelian of Wilmette, IL. He also has three grandchildren; Eric Raphaelian and Alexander Raphaelian of Spring Lake, and Lilly Raphaelian of San Ramon, CA. Leo is also survived by his brother Eugene Raphaelian (Queenie Raphaelian) of Plymouth, MA, as well as several nieces and nephews, and was preceded in death by his sister Lillian (Raphaelian) Hovagimyan.
Leo’s Ph.D. research and thesis on “The Synthesis of Naturally Occurring Sterols” led to his employment at Olin Corporation in New Haven, CT, from 1958 through 1967. While at Olin Corporation he developed a super pure and dry hydrazine for use in high energy rocket fuels (used in the Apollo/Saturn V rocket). His work also included the development of three different office copying systems, one utilizing liquid crystal technology, as well as a method for preventing Spandex fiber from yellowing.
From 1968 through 2006 Leo and Gloria lived in Wilmette, IL. Leo initially worked at Armour-Dial, Inc., developing germicides for cosmetics and soaps and leading to a position in the Department of Chemistry at Northwestern University. In 1975 he took a position at Argonne National Laboratory, working in the Chemical Technology Division on environmental waste management. Eventually he began research in the oil field, applying his expertise in the operation and programming of complex instrumentation such as the gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer. In 1989 he joined the Institute of Gas Technology, advancing his work as a leading expert in the field of shale oil and tar sands. Finally, at Abbott Laboratories beginning in 1995, Leo utilized his skill in computer programming, developing programs with 4D interfaces in both Mac and Windows platforms. He continued as a computer programming consultant until 2006, at which time he and Gloria retired to Spring Lake.
Throughout his professional career, Leo was extensively published, and his work led to many patents. He held memberships and leadership positions in the American Chemical Society, the Society for Applied Spectroscopy, and the Federation of Analytical and Applied Spectroscopy, amongst others. Concurrently, Leo was listed in “American Men of Science”. Leo’s many contributions to academics and industry over the years were wide-ranging, and in some instances and like many other scientists, silently important within the fabric of, and for the advancement of, our society.
Known by family and friends to be humble, reserved, and a true gentleman, Leo maintained a wide variety of intellectual pursuits and hobbies. He was an audiophile, and designed and built speakers. His interest in and facility with electronic circuitry allowed him to master and maintain the instrumentation required for his research, as well as repair the family television when needed. He maintained lifelong interests in photography and fishing. Leo loved opera and symphony, was a patron of the musical arts in Chicago, and liked to sing choral music. Over the years he studied and played bridge, chess, and golf, and dabbled in grafting and growing fruit trees. After moving to Illinois, Leo became an avid follower and fan of the Chicago professional sports teams.
The Raphaelian family wishes to extend many thanks for the long-standing support of friends and family, as well as the expert care provided by the nurses and staff at his home and at Hospice of North Ottawa-Heartwood Lodge.
A FUNERAL SERVICE will be held at 1:00 PM Wednesday, May 28 at:
The Lee Chapel
Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc.
6291 S. Harvey St.
231.798.1100
Friends are welcome to visit with each other and our family, and to celebrate Leo’s life, on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, from 5 PM to 8 PM, at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the Raphaelian family asks that any memorial donations in the memory of Leo be made to Hospice of North Ottawa Community and/or the Grand Haven Community Foundation “Greatest Needs Fund”.
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