July 24, 1937-Feb. 9, 2020
Robert Shahnazarian was born on July 24, 1937, in Mashhad, a city in northeast Iran, to parents Ashot and Rose Shahnazarian. Robert, a 50-year resident of Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage, passed away Feb. 9, 2020, at his home in Rancho Mirage.
Shortly after immigrating to the United States with his parents and siblings George and Kent, Robert enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1961 and was stationed at Fort Hamilton Army Base in Brooklyn, New York. While honorably serving in the Army for six years, Robert worked as medical lab specialist and received a marksmanship badge for the M-1 rifle. Robert received an honorable discharge in August 1966. Shortly thereafter, he married the love of his life, Hilda Shahnazarian, on Dec. 4, 1966.
He is survived by his two sons, Pasadena business owner Robert Shahnazarian Jr. and Armen Shahnazarian, along with his eldest brother, Dr. Kent Sharian, and grandson, Dvean Shahnazarian.
A memorial service will be held at St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church of the Desert (38905 Monterey Ave., Rancho Mirage, CA 92270) on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 1 p.m., followed by a repast at Kirkjian banquet hall, located adjacent to the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Robert’s honor to the Disabled American Veterans (dav.org). DAV is a nonprofit charity that provides a lifetime of support for veterans of all generations and their families, helping more than 1 million veterans in positive, life-changing ways each year.
