ANDRE TABOURIAN: SON OF KAREKIN, SON OF LEBANON

Daily Star – Lebanon
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Lebanon

Much will be written about Andre Tabourian,* and more will remain in
the good memory of people who knew him or benefited from his work or
philanthropy. My testimony highlights a story that must be told. Along
with his brother Gerard Tabourian, Tabourian honored his father by
establishing the Karekin Tabourian Dentofacial Clinic at the American
University of Beirut (AUB) Medical Center. Many of my AUB colleagues
and I met Andre Tabourian in these happy circumstances, and in him the
knowledgeable, good-hearted, witty, charming and truthful man. At the
time of the clinic dedication, the grateful children summed up their
late father’s interests in life and his legacy in two matters: his
family and his profession as dentist and AUB professor. Recalling the
ultimate sacrifice of Karekin’s parents and Armenian people who were
killed not because of what they did, but because of who they were,
the sons stated: "He taught us the opposite." Empowered with this
strength of character, Andre Tabourian built a successful and generous
legacy like his father. He was a proud, grateful, and honorable son
of Karekin.

In this story that builds on suffering to reach the summit of success,
lies a fertile ground of opportunity – Lebanon. Is it odd to think
of the cedars land as one of opportunity? Not to this Tabourian
family. Grateful to what this country offered, the Tabourians gave
back, by creating work opportunities; through charity; and in public
service, be it on Beirut’s municipal council (Karekin), the Lebanese
Parliament ( Andre) or government (Alain). Andre Tabourian was a good
citizen. He was a proud, grateful and honorable son of Lebanon.

When planning the opening of the Tabourian Clinic, Andre expressed his
and his brother’s desire: no propaganda. "Our giving is for a cause,
not self-satisfaction and praise." Though praise we may abundantly, in
your honor we simply say: thank you for the lessons your life has been.

Joseph George Ghafari is head of the dentistry department at AUBMC

*Co-donor of Karekin Tabourian Dentofacial Clinic at AUBMC, Andre
Tabourian passed away on October 7. Mr. Tabourian is survived by
his wife Nina, his sons Alain (minister of energy) and Mark, brother
Gerard, and their families.