Dr. Karén Matevosyan, a physician, educator, devoted husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on November 1st; at the age of 69.

A proud Armenian, Karén’s life was shaped by his heritage, his dedication to medicine, and an enduring curiosity about the world around him. After earning his medical degree in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 1981, he began his career as a pediatrician, practicing in Baku and later in Yerevan, Armenia, before immigrating to the United States in 1991.

During the difficult years surrounding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, when families were displaced and communities faced extraordinary uncertainty, Karén continued to care for those around him. Families would seek him out for help with their sick children, and many remained deeply grateful for the care and compassion he extended during some of their most difficult moments. His commitment to medicine was never confined to a hospital or a title; it was a responsibility he carried with him, particularly toward his fellow Armenians.

Determined to continue advancing his medical career in the United States, Karén spent a decade at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas before completing his residency in clinical pathology and fellowship in blood banking and transfusion medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. He later joined Southwestern’s Department of Pathology as an assistant professor, where he taught medical students, residents, and fellows while holding several medical leadership positions. His work also extended into academic contributions which included numerous scientific publications in peer reviewed medical journals, with research spanning transfusion medicine, blood coagulation, and therapeutic apheresis. His research explored improved treatments for patients with sickle cell disease, complex blood disorders, and clotting abnormalities, while helping advance transfusion practices that made medical care more effective and reduced unnecessary procedures.

In the years following his distinguished career in Dallas, Karén spent time in Pennsylvania before eventually making Bulgaria his home. His commitment to medicine and education remained a constant throughout these transitions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he embraced new technology and taught himself to use Zoom so he could continue teaching English to medical students in Bulgaria, finding new ways to share his knowledge and remain connected to the academic world.

Karén was intellectually curious and possessed a remarkable appreciation for language and culture. He spoke Armenian, Russian, Bulgarian, and English, moving between languages and cultures throughout his life while maintaining a strong connection to his Armenian roots. He was a man of discerning tastes, a wine aficionado, and a devoted admirer of cinema, particularly the works of Federico Fellini and Miloš Forman.

Music occupied a special place in his life. His tastes were as varied as his interests, spanning the compositions of Bach, the improvisational brilliance of Keith Jarrett, and the contemporary Armenian jazz of Tigran Hamasyan. He admired jazz greats including Johnny Hodges, Wynton Marsalis, and Melba Liston, and rarely missed an opportunity to spend an evening at a jazz club experiencing live music. He also had a particular appreciation for fine dining, good wine, and the pleasures of a well spent evening.

Intelligent, opinionated, and possessing a distinctly dry and witty sense of humor, Karén maintained his sharpness and wit until the end.

Perhaps the most defining relationship of his later life was his marriage to his beloved wife, Lilit. She was the great love of his life, and their bond shaped much of his world over the last two decades. Her passing left a profound absence in his life, one that he continued to carry with him. Their love remained an enduring part of his story.

Karén is survived by his daughters, Nairi Matevosyan O’Connor and Anna Dunavin; his stepsons, Mikhail and Alex Bezruchko; and his grandchildren, Damien and Memphis Dunavin.

He leaves behind a legacy of medical service, intellectual curiosity, cultural appreciation, and an unwavering connection to his Armenian roots. His life spanned countries, cultures, and generations, marked by a determination to continue learning, teaching, and contributing wherever life took him.

He will be remembered for his contributions to medicine, his appreciation for the arts, his unmistakable wit, and his particular fondness for the finer pleasures of life: a thoughtful conversation, an excellent meal, a good glass of wine, and, whenever possible, an evening of live jazz.