Arsen Keosian's Obituary
Arsen peacefully passed away, surrounded by his loving family, on Saturday August 5, 2017. He was 88 years old.Arsen was born on October 12, 1928 to his parents Arsen and Blanche Keosian in San Francisco California, in his family home on Leavenworth Street. He was a first generation San Franciscan and the youngest of four sons – Joe, Vahram and Richard.He attended Redding Grammar School, Commerce High and San Francisco City College, but his formal college education was put on hold so he could find work to help his family during WWII. As a twelve year old boy he delivered groceries for Chico’s Market on Sacramento Street and during high school he worked at the National Biscuit Company on the production line.Arsen began his lifelong career in building and designing because of his natural craftsman skills and creatively inventive mind. He worked for a furniture manufacturing company and then went to work for Dealer Display, starting out as a crate builder and quickly advanced to become a trade show exhibit builder. He also met the love of his life there, Bobbie Earlene. Their first date was on Good Friday 1951 and they were married in January 1954. They were together, by each other’s side, for the next 66 years. From there, Arsen worked at Sanford Exhibits and then Floats as a trade show exhibit builder and was promoted to foreman within months. Chilimi Exhibits would follow, but in 1968 he followed his dreams and decided to strike out on his own. With the profits from the sale of his beloved Pan Abode log cabin that he built at Donner Lake, he opened his own trade show exhibit company – San Francisco Exhibits – on Harrison Street in San Francisco. As owner and President for twenty-five years, he oversaw every aspect of the company from sales to design to fabrication to billing with his office staff and shop crew. After 45 years, Arsen retired from his extremely successful trade show exhibit company and career in the exhibit industry in 1993. Among the many beautiful furniture pieces that he designed and built was a unique bookcase that was featured in Sunset Magazine.He loved sports and was a strong, natural athlete. As a child, he played baseball with his neighborhood friends in Leroy Place alley. He’d roller skate with his brothers down crooked bumpy, cobble stone Lombard Street on metal skates – the kind of skates that were strapped to his street shoes, and with no way to stop. He played baseball, soccer and football during high school, took up golf as a young man and became a jogger in mid-life, running 20 – 25 miles a week before work in the early morning hours. Because of his love for the Sierra Mountains, it was natural that he would learn to snow ski too. He was a devoted San Francisco 49er fan – a proud season ticket holder at Kezar Stadium and Candlestick Park, watched Giants baseball and Warriors basketball.Arsen enlisted in the Navy Reserves in 1948, completed boot camp in San Diego and was eventually stationed at Alameda Naval Air Station as an Airman with fighter squadron FASRON 8. He was honorably discharged in 1953.He enjoyed traveling and experiencing new cultures. He visited many US states from Alaska to Wyoming. In 1966 he drove his family across country in a ’63 Volkswagen Bug to visit Bobbie’s North Carolina family, also spending time in Washington DC and New York. Their travel adventures took Arsen and Bobbie to numerous countries in Europe and South America. Alaska, Caribbean and Mexico cruises were a joy for him – his floating hotel as he liked to call it. With all the world traveling that he experienced, his heart always remained in the Hawaiian Islands. Arsen was proud of his Armenian heritage and being a native San Franciscan, a city he loved his entire life. He enjoyed driving by all the old spots and reminiscing about happy times. He loved to cook, create unique recipes and re-create his mother’s Armenian family recipes for his family and friends.Arsen was always selfless, nonjudgmental, hard working and ready to lend a helping hand. He was a humble man who lived a full life, a life of great integrity, a deep love for his family and was a loyal friend to many. He was kind and giving, compassionate and considerate of others and he loved animals. He had a funny, dry sense of humor and always enjoyed a good joke. Arsen could do anything, which included tearing an old, 3” thick San Francisco telephone book in half with his bare hands.Arsen leaves behind his loving wife and companion of 66 years, Bobbie, their daughters Jana Keosian-Nogara (Demetrius) and Laura Keosian, grandson Dante Keosian Nogara, grand-dogs Summer and Sophie, extended family and life long friends.We are all heartbroken and unimaginably sad with grief that Arsen is no longer here with us, yet very grateful, thankful and blessed that we were a part of his life. His presence, kindness, love and his always giving spirit will be immensely missed by all who love and know him. Our lives will never be the same without you.His life was celebrated at St. John Armenian Church in San Francisco, with a loving Aloha at Skylawn Memorial Park.The Keosian family would like thank our family and friends for the love and support you have shown us during this most difficult time. If you are considering a memorial donation in Arsen’s honor, contributions to St. John Armenian Apostolic Church in San Francisco would be very much appreciated. Please visit: https://stjohnarmenianchurch.com/giving/opportunities
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