Berge "Bob" Der Matoian

Berge was born in Waukegan, Illinois on July 06, 1933, to parents Mesrob and Peggy Der Matoian (nee Terjanian). His maternal Aunts started calling him Bob when he was little since it was easier for people to pronounce.

The family moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1934, where his sister Barbara was born. The family then moved to Fresno in 1944. He attended Emerson Elementary School, Longfellow Junior High, and Roosevelt High School, where he ran on the track team. His nickname was Moto.

He studied engineering at Fresno State and worked part-time at Thomas Radiator until he was drafted into the Army in January of 1954; where he was a helicopter mechanic. Following his Honorable Discharge in 1956, he went to work at the Valley Radiator Co. where he went from employee to partner to owner; and where he remained until his retirement on December 31, 1992. During that time, he was also the central valley distributor for Liberty Radiator and a member of the National Automative Radiator Service Association until his retirement.

Bob became a member of the ACYO at St. Paul Armenian Church in 1951. Upon his discharge from the Army in 1956, he joined St. Paul Armenian Church as a dues paying member.

Bob married Sara Mae Krikorian of Oakland, CA at St. Paul on January 18, 1958. They have three children: Paula Der Matoian and her husband Richie Attoian of Fresno, Mark Der Matoian and his wife Sue of Clovis, and Brian Der Matoian and his wife Cindy of Foothill Ranch, CA.

Bob was fiercely proud of his three grandsons, Alec of Santa Maria, Ben of San Diego, and Michael of Clovis.

Bob was a dedicated member of The Knights of Vartan, joining in 1968. He served as Commander of the Yeprad Lodge in Fresno and as the national Grand Commander from 2006-2008. He was a passionate member of the Knights & Daughters of Vartan Adopt a School Project from 1995-2001 and Secretary/Treasurer of the Knights & Daughters of Vartan Armenian Schools Support Project (ASSP) from 2001 until 2022, travelling to Armenia numerous times over the years to monitor the progress on the reconstruction of schools. Bob was a co-chairman of the Dinky Creek Committee for numerous years. And for many years Bob provided instructions and guidance to novice candidates joining Yeprad Lodge.

As a member of St. Paul, he served on the Parish Council, and the annual Parish Assembly as Assembly Secretary, Vice-Chairman, and Chairman. He served as a Diocesan Assembly Delegate, and as the English Secretary at the Diocesan Assembly.

Bob joined the St. Paul Men’s Forum in 1961 and remained active until his passing. He first served as Chairman in 1966 and has held executive offices throughout his 63 years of membership. He has served as the Chairman and Co-Chairman of the St. Paul Annual Grape Blessing Picnic and as the Men’s Forum Dinner/Meeting Chairman for more than 20 years. He was on the Men’s Forum Cooking Committee for 30 years, even baking cookies for numerous years for the after-church Sunday fellowship.

He has been the purchasing agent/logistic coordinator for the Picnic, Merchant’s Lunch, and any other St. Paul activity or organization that needed help. One of his favorite activities was calling the bingo numbers at Burgers and Bingo. He and his wife Sara organized the St Paul Service Committee, serving Memorial lunches for 7 years. And they helped establish the “Avaks”, a group of senior church members who gathered monthly to have lunch, socialize, and play card and board games. Bob thoroughly enjoyed his involvement in Church life.

Bob was a member of the Armenian Assembly and the American Legion. He served on the Board of Directors at the Armenian Community School of Fresno, and the Kharpertsi Reunion Committee of Fresno.

He enjoyed gardening, spending time with friends, and playing cards at Table Mountain Casino. So much so that he was a founding member of the “Hye Rollers”, who met monthly at Table Mountain to share a meal, talk, and play cards. It grew from 4 people to 26, and Bob would send updates and reminders to all, even convincing the restaurant to reserve a spot each month for the group.

Bob made the assumption that the internet was created to deliver jokes. His email distribution list was miles long. Sending jokes and anecdotes was his way of spreading joy, though sometime irreverent; and most importantly, keeping in touch with friends and family scattered around the country. His nephews had an alternate name for him, Uncle Email.

Bob is survived by his wife of 66 years Sara; children Paula and her husband Richie, Mark and his wife Sue, Brian and his wife Cindy; grandsons Alec and his wife Kailey, Ben, and Michael; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Bob lived a life of service devoted to the causes he supported and to his family. He gave freely of his time, energy, and dedication whenever asked. And even when not asked. His light, energy, and zest for life will be missed, and his departure from this earth will leave a void in the hearts, minds, and souls of all that knew him.