Robert Haig Bedoukian, Ph.D., 76, Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Friend

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Robert Haig Bedoukian, who died peacefully on Friday, August 30, 2024, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was 76. Robert was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and cherished friend. He lived a life filled with love, kindness, and generosity. He inspired all who knew him.

Robert was born on July 2, 1948, in Hastings on Hudson, NY to the late Dr. Paul Z. Bedoukian and Victoria (nee Hagopian) Bedoukian. He was known for his humor, wisdom, and compassion. He dedicated his life to the flavor and fragrance industry through his own business, Bedoukian Research, Inc. (BRI). Robert joined BRI in 1975 after earning a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Purdue University and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Tufts University in 1970. Robert worked closely with his father, who began the business with three employees; Robert grew the company to where it is today, with 170 employees. Under Robert’s leadership as President from 1986-2024, BRI enhanced its reputation in the Flavor and Fragrance (F&F) industry for superior quality products, excellent customer service, and availability of technical expertise. Robert also showed a passion for agricultural pest control and founded BedoukianBio (BB), which delivers semiochemical products with the same tradition of high quality and service as BRI. Through Robert’s work, BRI became one of the leading companies in insect pheromone synthesis in the world. He also was a passionate inventor and was granted over 80 U.S. patents throughout his career.

Robert served on the Board of Directors of the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM) from 1989-2022, was chairman of the Board from 2005-2007, and Interim Co-President from 2015-2016. Until his passing, he was also active on the Board of Fragrance Creators Association (FCA, formerly FMA and IFRANA) since 1995; Ability Beyond, most recently as Vice Chairman, since 2014; and Regional Hospice since 2020.

Since 2021, Robert created and chaired the Nuvance Research and Innovation Bedoukian Endowed Chair. He has been a member of the Armenian Museum of America Board of Trustees since 2002 and has served on the Purdue Chemistry Advisory Committee since 2018. Robert was also a member of the Finance and Audit Committee at Ability Beyond and the Finance and Personnel Committee at the First Church of Christ Congregational in Redding.

Robert received numerous professional and civic awards, including the Purdue University College of Science Distinguished Alumni Award (2013), the Eric Bruell Distinguished Service Award (2015) from the FCA to honor his achievements and willingness to go “above and beyond the call of duty”, the Cecil Previdi Award for Entrepreneurial Business Achievement from the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce (2021), and the Robert S. Young Humanitarian Award issued by Ability Beyond (2018). He was also honored for community service by the Association of Religious Communities (2020) and the Greater Danbury Good Scout Award (2021).

Beyond his professional life, Robert was a loving husband to his wife Gail of 47 years, and a wonderful father to his three children, Matthew, David, and Philip; father-in-law to Kristin and Annissa. He adored and was adored by his four grandsons, Blake, Cole, Max, and Lincoln. In addition to his immediate family, Robert will be deeply missed by his sisters, Joan and Betty Demirjian, his sister-in-law, Laura McCarthy, his niece, five nephews, and numerous cousins. Robert had a love of soccer and played competitively until the age of 53 when he decided after his second run-in with broken ribs that it was time to give it up. Robert’s love of soccer continued; he coached travel and recreation soccer in Redding while his three sons were growing up, and he often attended his grandsons’ soccer games even up until the final months of his life. He had a love for Cape Cod that developed from his childhood, and he would spend many weeks in the summer at his home in Eastham, MA, enjoying the beaches, kayaking, biking, and hiking trails with his family. He was an avid photographer. When Robert was not active outdoors, he could be found watching the New Orleans Saints and the Purdue Boilermakers.

On Monday, September 16, 2024, the family will receive friends and relatives from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White Street in Danbury, CT. On Tuesday, September 17, 2024, Robert’s life will be celebrated at the First Church of Christ Congregation, 25 Cross Highway in Redding, CT at 11 a.m.

Robert was a special individual who always prioritized giving back to the community, especially to those less fortunate. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Robert’s memory to the following charities that were close to his heart.

Nuvance Research and Innovation Bedoukian Endowed Chair

Ability Beyond

Regional Hospice

Association of Religious Communities

Ann's Place

First Church of Christ Endowment or General Fund, Redding. CT

Armenian Museum of America, Watertown, MA

Ridgefield Visiting Nurses Association (RVNA)

Robert’s legacy of kindness, generosity, and love will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.