Robert Kapamajian

Rober Aleksan Kapamajian, 78, passed away peacefully in the early hours of January 31, 2026 at Kindred Hospital in Westminster, having spent his final hours surrounded by his loving wife (Hazmig), brother (Manuk), sister-in-law (Ana), and nephews (Andrew and Michael). He was born on January 26, 1948 in Istanbul, Turkey to Mgrdich and Maryam Kapamaci, and was the second of three children.

When Rober was 7, at the behest of his mother, the entire family fled Turkey amidst violence targeting Armenian business establishments. They settled in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he and his brother went to elementary school for the next seven years. There, his passion for soccer blossomed into such talent that he was recruited by the junior division of one of Argentina’s soccer clubs, Velez Sarsfield. Ultimately, his mother wouldn’t allow him to entertain his football club suitors and in 1962, when Rober was 14 years old, they moved to the United States, first settling in Hollywood, CA, and later moving to Long Beach, CA, where he and his brother attended Long Beach Polytechnic high school.

Rober built his life on the principles of hard work passed on to him from his father and stayed close to his family. When he was almost 18, he got his first job as a bus boy at the Edge Water Inn in Long Beach, working alongside his older brother, Manuk. In 1970, his father recruited both of them to help run his chain of three Long Beach restaurants, Susie’s Cafeteria, named after their baby sister who was only 7 at the time. There Rober worked with his brother and his father for approximately ten years, after which both siblings decided to start a lunch truck business, Michael’s Roadrunner, named after his first nephew. Eight years later, Rober followed his entrepreneurial spirit and opened his own gift store in the World Trade Center in Long Beach, where he worked until he retired.

While Rober’s first love was soccer, as he grew older he came to realize his second love- travel, which ironically would one day lead him to his ultimate love… In 1975, while at one of PanAm’s travel agencies planning his next trip, he unknowingly met his future sister-in-law, Vart Roubinian, through whom he would eventually meet and fall in love with his wife, Hazmig Alian. Rober and Hazmig spoke the same languages, came from similar cultures, and shared core values. It did not take long for them to fall deeply in love and on June 12, 1976 they were married.

Rober and Hazmig eventually made their home in Huntington Beach, CA. They enjoyed travelling the world together, watching their favorite Mexican soap operas and shows, and spending time with their dog, Gigi. In retirement, Rober continued in his love for soccer and family, oftentimes hosting holidays and events at their home. He spent his Saturday mornings having breakfast with his parents and encouraged Hazmig to do the same with hers. He had a unique sense of humor and a contagious laugh, something he enjoyed sharing with close family and friends, especially with his nieces and nephews.

He is survived by his wife, Hazmig, and his siblings, Manuk (Ana) and Susie (Chuck). He will be remembered for his strong work ethic, keen business sense, love of travelling, passion for soccer, desire to remain close to family, and most importantly for the quiet, understated love he shared through humor and laughter with those closest to him.