Arthur Swajian

Arthur Swajian, 93, longtime Coachella Valley resident, passed away at the Palm Desert home he shared with his beloved wife Mary on Friday, July 26 2013. Arthur was born in Istanbul, Turkey, on May 20, 1920 to Leon and Aghavni Swajian and came to the United States with his family at the age of two. His early years were spent in Detroit, Michigan. Arthur graduated from UC Berkeley in 1942 with a degree in Chemistry and joined the US Navy in 1943, serving in the US Navy Reserves through 1950. He later obtained a Civil Engineering and Surveying degree from USC.
He met the love of his life Mary Getsoian while stationed in San Diego, and this June 22, 2013 celebrated 67 years of marriage. They settled in Alhambra CA where their two children were born. Arthur worked for the County of Los Angeles as a civil engineer from 1946-1955 and moved in 1955 to the Coachella Valley to became Executive Officer of the State of California Colorado River Regional Water Quality Control Board until his retirement in 1990. Arthur practiced civil engineering and surveying, particularly in the creation of Bermuda Dunes Country Club working alongside William E. Carter and later Ernie Dunlevie. Along with Mary, he participated in establishing the St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church of the Desert. Most unique is that Arthur started jogging in 1965, years before it became the sport of style that it is today. He jogged 3 miles daily for 40 years, and took up biking in his late 80's. His other passion was working with his citrus, fig, peach, and loquat trees at home.
Arthur is survived by son Gregory and daughter-in-law Dawn Swajian and their children Justus, Grant and Duke of Indian Wells; daughter Cathy and son-in-law Mark Abernathy and their children Margaret and Madeline of Bakersfield. He is survived by Mary's sisters, Rose Bender of San Diego and Jeanette Massery of Walnut Creek and nieces and nephews.
Memorial service will be held Wednesday, July 31, 2013, at 11 am at Forest Lawn of Cathedral City on East Ramon Road, followed by a luncheon at St. Garabed Armenian Church on Monterey Street. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Armenian Church (mail to: 38905 Vista Dunes Rd, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270)